Hawks rally past Knicks in Game 2 thriller behind CJ McCollum’s 32, even series 1-1
Hawks rally past Knicks in Game 2 thriller behind CJ McCollum’s 32, even series 1-1 originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Atlanta Hawks pulled off a stunning comeback Monday night, rallying past the New York Knicks 107-106 in Game 2 to even their first-round playoff series at 1-1.
CJ McCollum delivered a clutch performance, finishing with 32 points and leading a fourth-quarter surge that erased a double-digit deficit. Atlanta trailed the entire second half and entered the fourth quarter down 12 before mounting its comeback. McCollum’s late heroics proved decisive, even after a brief scare.
He missed two free throws with 5. 6 seconds remaining, giving New York one final chance. Without a timeout, the Knicks pushed the ball upcourt, but Mikal Bridges missed a jumper at the buzzer, sealing the Hawks ’ dramatic win.
Atlanta seized its first second-half lead of the series when McCollum converted a key basket to make it 101-100 with 2:09 left. After extending the lead to three, Jalen Brunson answered with a clutch 3-pointer to tie the game. McCollum responded again, knocking down a jumper with 33 seconds remaining to put Atlanta ahead for good.
Jonathan Kuminga provided a major lift off the bench with 19 points, while Jalen Johnson added 17 points, including a crucial basket with 10 seconds left that extended Atlanta’s lead to four. Hawks stun Knicks with fourth-quarter surge, ride momentum into Game 3 after Game 2 upset As a team, the Hawks shot 47. 8 percent from the field and 12-of-29 (41.