Mike Brown watched as his New York Knicks squandered a 14-point lead during Monday’s disheartening 107-106 Game 2 home loss to the Atlanta Hawks, which tied their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series at 1-1.
While the veteran coach faced fierce backlash for seemingly making the questionable decision not to call a timeout on New York’s final possession, an NBC broadcast error ultimately triggered the mass confusion. The mishap forced the NBA world to cut Brown some slack as the Knicks head back to the drawing board for Game 3.
Mike Brown Catches Unwarranted Flak for NBC Broadcasting Mistake in Knicks’ Game 2 Collapse
The third-seeded Knicks were in control throughout most of the night and led by 12 points entering the fourth quarter, appearing poised to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
Instead, the sixth-seeded Hawks mounted a furious comeback, spearheaded by veteran guard CJ McCollum, who tallied a game-high 32 points at Madison Square Garden.
While McCollum hit a clutch step-back jumper to put Atlanta in front 105-103 with 33.3 seconds remaining, a few plays later, the 34-year-old nearly cost his squad the game.
With the Hawks ahead 107-106 following a critical 3-pointer from New York star Jalen Brunson, McCollum was intentionally fouled and missed both free throws, leaving the door open for a dramatic finish.
The Knicks ultimately pushed the ball up the court and settled for a contested fadeaway baseline jumper from wing Mikal Bridges, which was off the mark as time expired.
Immediately after the missed opportunity, Brown got blasted across X, as the NBC broadcast showed that his team still had one timeout remaining.
“Loss is entirely on Mike Brown. The rotations to start the second and fourth quarters, and not calling a timeout at the end. Horrible coaching,” Barstool Sports’ Eric Hubbs asserted.
Loss is entirely on Mike Brown. The rotations to start the 2nd and 4th quarters and not calling a timeout at the end. Horrible coaching
— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) April 21, 2026
“Mike Brown gonna get fired for that BS,” Golden State Warriors fan account Warriors World reacted.
Mike Brown gonna get fired for that bs
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) April 21, 2026
“How does Mike Brown not call a timeout as soon as Josh [Hart] secured the rebound? Was SCREAMING for a timeout. Instead, we get an awful contested midrange from Mikal … Brutal,” Knicks Media questioned Brown’s coaching.
How does Mike Brown not call a timeout as soon as Josh secured the rebound.
Was SCREAMING for a time out
Instead we get an awful contested mid range from Mikal …
Brutal.
— Knicks Media 🗽 (@NYKnicks_Media) April 21, 2026
However, the broadcast later clarified during the second contest of its doubleheader that the widespread misunderstanding stemmed from a “data issue.”
The halftime show says there was a data issue on the scorebug which originally showed that the Knicks had a timeout but didn’t due to that errorpic.twitter.com/dj02XNBbEL
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) April 21, 2026
“Yeah, terrible job by NBC/Crew,” Knicks personality Tommy Beer called out the telecast.
yeah – terrible job by NBC / crew
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) April 21, 2026
“Stop killing Mike Brown. NY DID NOT HAVE A TIMEOUT LEFT!” The Knicks Recap urged fans, with several issuing apologies.
Stop killing Mike Brown. NY DID NOT HAVE A TIMEOUT LEFT! https://t.co/r8gAQW3SGi
— The Knicks Recap (@TheKnicksRecap) April 21, 2026
As for Brown’s point of view, he shared postgame that he still may not have used a timeout if he had one, as it would have depended on his “gut feel.” The two-time NBA Coach of the Year added that Bridges’ final look “was a good shot.”
Mike Brown says it would’ve been his “gut feel” if the Knicks had a timeout to use on the final possession of Game 2
“I thought it was a good shot. I don’t think the shot was under a ton of duress” pic.twitter.com/VRsRIgmdQq
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 21, 2026
Still, Knicks fans would surely like to see the ball end up in Brunson’s hands if another game comes down to the wire in what is shaping up to be a hard-fought Round 1 clash. Game 3 will take place on Thursday in Atlanta, with the series lead up for grabs for both sides.
