The New York Knicks had terrible luck in the first round, drawing the resurgent Atlanta Hawks. After parting ways with Trae Young, the team had been on a promising streak to close out the regular season, climbing to the No. 6 seed in the process.
Those credentials were put to the test by New York, which dominated the better part of the first two games. But a late-game rally from Atlanta, led by CJ McCollum, paved the way for the series to be tied 1-1.
CJ McCollum Turns Back the Clock for the Hawks in Game 2
After a comfortable 113-102 victory, the Knicks seemed to be in a perfect position to take home their second straight win of the postseason. With a 12-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, it looked like the stage was set for New York to be up 2-0.
However, the Hawks’ rally was led by a stellar defensive quarter. Limiting New York to just 15 points in the final period allowed the team to chip away at the lead.
Finally, back-to-back buckets from McCollum, who finished with 32 points on the night, gave them a 103-100 lead. Even though the Knicks tied it up at 103, it was the former Portland Trail Blazers star to the rescue again.
Then, a fast-break dunk from Jalen Johnson seemed like it was all that the game had in store. The shocking collapse, particularly the late rally that put Atlanta in pole position, left everyone watching stunned.
As a result, the vitriol was apparent on social media. Nick Wright of First Things First on FS1 was quick to point out, “That’s about as bad of a Round 1 loss as you’re going to see. My goodness, what an unforgivable 4th quarter from the Knicks. On the flip side, CJ McCollum! What a performance!”
That’s about as bad of a Round 1 loss as you’re going to see.
My goodness, what an unforgivable 4th quarter from the Knicks.
On the flip side, CJ McCollum! What a performance!
— nick wright (@getnickwright) April 21, 2026
Similarly, veteran analyst Bill Simmons was perplexed by the collapse, writing, “A dumbfounding collapse from the Knicks! Wowwwwwwwww. Shout out to CJ – anyone could have traded for that dude for four solid months.”
Content creator Matthew Geist remarked, “That was an absolutely embarrassing choke job from the Knicks No offensive creativity, horrible coaching, and horrible execution Hats off to CJ McCollum and co., stealing game two is MASSIVE.”
That was an absolutely embarrassing choke job from the Knicks
No offensive creativity, horrible coaching, and horrible execution
Hats off to CJ McCollum and co., stealing game two is MASSIVE
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) April 21, 2026
For all the anger the Knicks drew, a huge chunk of the credit went to the veteran McCollum, who had been a key part of the Hawks’ transformation. “CJ MCCOLLUM MASTERCLASS IN THE GARDEN. OH MY.”
CJ MCCOLLUM MASTERCLASS IN THE GARDEN. OH MY. pic.twitter.com/vjXzAtegdI
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 21, 2026
Unfortunately, it was the second time this decade that the Knicks had been at the receiving end of a spectacular performance from a Hawks point guard. As Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News pointed out, “Wow. Those fans are sick.”
Even with the 107-103 lead, the game wasn’t completely over. Jalen Brunson was able to hit another 3-pointer to bring it within a single point. That at least gave him some cover, with Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star claiming, “Hawks have given Brunson all kinds of hell, and this is a wild comeback, but his two 3s in this stretch have been something else.”
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It still wasn’t enough, though. Despite the hero of the night for Atlanta missing both free throws after being intentionally fouled, the Knicks couldn’t capitalize. Instead, their possession ended on a wild missed jumper from Mikal Bridges, sealing the Hawks’ 107-106 win.
Even the Hawks faithful, like Brad Rowland, could understand the improbability of the victory. He took to X to admit, “It was a wild one, but the Hawks just stole Game 2 and home-court advantage in the series. Atlanta trailed by as many as 14 in the 2nd half and by 12 after 3 quarters. 32 points for CJ McCollum, who is suddenly quite popular in New York.”
It remains to be seen if their miraculous victory can turn the season around for the Hawks completely. But with the series tied 1-1 heading back to Atlanta, they have made it far more competitive and interesting than anyone saw coming.
