CJ McCollum takes Young's place in Atlanta and as MSG's villain
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- CJ McCollum, traded to the Atlanta Hawks in January for Trae Young, scored 32 points to lead the Hawks to a 107-106 victory over the New York Knicks, tying their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.
- McCollum faced intense taunting from Madison Square Garden fans, echoing the treatment Young received in 2021, but responded with key plays that silenced the crowd.
- Hawks coach Quin Snyder praised McCollum's veteran leadership and ability to fill the scoring void left by Young, highlighting his experience and impact on the team.
- Despite missing two crucial free throws late in the game, McCollum made the go-ahead basket and outperformed Knicks star Jalen Brunson, forcing New York to win on the road to advance.
- Knicks coach Mike Brown acknowledged McCollum's clutch performance and credited him for making the difference in a tightly contested game.
