CJ McCollum delivered six of his game-high 32 points in the final two-plus minutes Monday night as the Atlanta Hawks stormed back from an eight-point deficit in the last five minutes to stun the New York Knicks 107-106 in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series, according to Al Jazeera English. The victory levels the best-of-seven series at 1-1.
A Comeback Built in the Fourth Quarter
The Hawks faced a steeper hole for much of the night, trailing by as many as 14 points in the third quarter. New York appeared in firm control heading into the final period, but Atlanta's fourth quarter was nothing short of remarkable. The Hawks shot 72.2 percent from the field — converting 13 of 18 attempts — while the Knicks collapsed offensively, managing just 5-for-22 shooting (22.7 percent) in the period. Atlanta closed the game on a 15-6 run to steal the win on the road.
McCollum Leads the Charge
McCollum, the veteran guard acquired to provide playoff experience, was the driving force down the stretch. His clutch buckets in the dying minutes gave the Hawks just enough separation to hold off New York's final attempts. He finished with 32 points to lead all scorers on either side.
Atlanta's supporting cast also contributed significantly. Jonathan Kuminga added 19 points off the bench, Jalen Johnson chipped in 17, and Onyeka Okongwu contributed 15 as the Hawks spread their scoring across multiple contributors.
Knicks' Offense Goes Cold at the Worst Time
New York had the weapons to close out the game but could not find the basket when it mattered most. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 29 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 18. Josh Hart had a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Mitchell Robinson contributed 13 off the bench. OG Anunoby scored 14 and Mikal Bridges added 10, but the team-wide fourth-quarter shooting slump proved fatal.
What Comes Next
With the series now tied, the action shifts to Atlanta for Game 3, scheduled for Thursday night. The Hawks will look to build on the momentum of their comeback and take a series lead on their home floor, while the Knicks will need to address their late-game offensive struggles if they hope to reclaim the advantage.
