Hawks Mount Late Surge to Secure Narrow Victory Over Knicks
In a heart-stopping NBA playoff clash, the Atlanta Hawks engineered a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the New York Knicks 107-106 on Monday night, leveling their first-round series at one game apiece. The Associated Press reported that the game, which took place on April 21, 2026, Philippine time, saw the Hawks overcome a double-digit deficit in the final period to snatch a crucial road win.
CJ McCollum Leads the Charge with Clutch Performance
CJ McCollum was the standout performer for Atlanta, pouring in 32 points and spearheading the late-game rally. Despite missing two free throws with just 5.6 seconds remaining, McCollum remained composed, reflecting on the intense matchup. "It's a long game," he said. "You've got to play to zero." His leadership proved pivotal as the Hawks trailed throughout the second half and were down by 12 points entering the fourth quarter.
McCollum's heroics included a basket that gave Atlanta a 101-100 lead with 2:09 left—their first advantage in the second half of the series. He later hit a jumper to make it 105-103 with 33 seconds on the clock, setting the stage for a tense finish. New York's Mikal Bridges had a chance to tie or win the game at the buzzer, but his jumper missed, sealing the Hawks' victory.
Key Contributions from Bench and Starters
Supporting McCollum's efforts, Jonathan Kuminga delivered a spark off the bench with 19 points, including a powerful two-handed dunk that energized the team. Jalen Johnson added 17 points, with a crucial basket in the final 10 seconds that extended Atlanta's lead to four points. The Hawks, seeded sixth in the Eastern Conference, will now host Game 3 on Thursday, with the series finely balanced.
On the Knicks' side, Jalen Brunson led the scoring with 29 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 18 points, erupting for 14 in the third quarter to help build a 78-64 lead. Josh Hart, who finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, expressed frustration after the loss. "This is a game we should have won," Hart said. "In the playoffs you can't give away games." The defeat was particularly stinging for New York, who had been 40-1 in postseason history when leading by at least 12 points after three quarters.
Historical Context and Playoff Implications
The Knicks, aiming for a fourth consecutive trip to the second round—their longest such run since the late 1990s—dominated much of the game but faltered in the closing minutes. Towns' third-quarter surge and a strong defensive effort initially seemed to put New York in control, but Atlanta's resilience turned the tide. McCollum, acquired from the Washington Wizards in a January trade involving Trae Young, outplayed Brunson in the second half, showcasing his value in high-pressure situations.
This game marked only the second time since the shot clock era began in 1954-55 that the Knicks lost a playoff game after holding a 12-point lead entering the fourth quarter, with the previous occurrence happening in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals against Reggie Miller's Indiana Pacers.
Other Eastern Conference Playoff Action
In another Eastern Conference matchup, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors 115-105 to take a 2-0 series lead. Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points, while James Harden added 28 points and moved into seventh place on the NBA's all-time playoff assists list with 1,139. Evan Mobley contributed 25 points and eight rebounds for Cleveland, who never trailed in the game and extended their playoff winning streak against Toronto to 12 games, matching an NBA postseason record.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson praised his team's composure, stating, "They threw the kitchen sink at us, gave us a lot of different looks and we kept our poise. This is what the playoffs are about." Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with a playoff career-high 26 points, but it wasn't enough as the series shifts to Toronto for Game 3.
Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves evened their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets at one game apiece with a 119-114 victory, fueled by Anthony Edwards' 30 points and Julius Randle's 24 points.
