NBA playoffs: new MSG villain McCollum leads Hawks back from 12 down to stun Knicks
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- CJ McCollum scored 32 points to lead the Atlanta Hawks in a 107-106 comeback win over the New York Knicks, tying their first-round playoff series at 1-1.
- The Hawks overcame a 12-point deficit after three quarters, with McCollum hitting key shots in the final minutes despite missing two crucial free throws.
- The Knicks, who had been 40-1 in playoff games when leading by 12 or more after three quarters, saw their streak snapped as Jalen Brunson scored 29 points but could not close out the game.
- McCollum, acquired in a January trade for Trae Young, outplayed Brunson in the second half and handled hostile crowd reactions with composure.
- In other playoff action, Minnesota tied their series against Denver, and Cleveland took a 2-0 lead over Toronto, with strong performances from Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Donovan Mitchell, and James Harden.
