CJ McCollum fuels Hawks comeback, ties series 1–1 in Game 2

Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum poured in 32 points on April 23, 2026, to lift the Hawks to a 107‑106 win over the New York Knicks and knot the first‑round series at 1‑1. The veteran scorer ignited a 12‑point fourth‑quarter surge that erased a double‑digit deficit and forced overtime, flipping the momentum back to Atlanta.

CJ McCollum’s clutch shooting arrived as the Hawks entered the final minutes trailing 94‑82. His three‑point barrage, highlighted by a go‑ahead jumper with 1:12 left, shifted the tempo and set up a decisive defensive stop that sealed the comeback. For a player who has spent much of his career carrying middling playoff teams, this display was a masterclass in leveraging elite shot creation and late-game composure to rescue a franchise still searching for its first postseason series win since 2015.

The numbers reveal that McCollum’s 32 points accounted for roughly 30% of Atlanta’s total output, a share that underscores his role as the offensive catalyst in a game where every possession mattered. In a tightly contested series where shooting percentages have been uneven, McCollum’s ability to convert high-difficulty looks in critical windows has been the difference-maker for a Hawks unit that has often looked overmatched on the road.

What sparked the Hawks’ Game 2 turnaround?

Atlanta capitalized on a sluggish Knicks half‑court defense and a series of unforced errors that gifted the Hawks 12 fast‑break points in the closing frame. The bench contributed 28 points, while McCollum’s efficiency—12‑of‑22 shooting, five of nine from three—kept the lead within reach. Defensively, the Hawks switched seamlessly on screens, smothered Jalen Brunson at the driver, and forced the Knicks into a season-worst 12 turnovers in the fourth quarter, a collapse that exposed New York’s inexperience in closing tight playoff games.

The sequence that shifted the series began with a McCollum three that cut the lead to 89‑86 with 4:30 remaining. From there, the Hawks’ defensive intensity ratcheted up, with Clint Capela contesting every inbound pass and Bogdan Bogdanović harassing the perimeter. The result was a 9‑0 run fueled by McCollum’s mid‑range jumper, a signature shot that has become increasingly lethal as he has refined his footwork and off-ball movement in the half-court sets devised by head coach Quin Snyder.

How CJ McCollum’s performance fits the season narrative

CJ McCollum shot 54.5% from the field and 55.6% from three in Game 2, well above his 45.2% field‑goal and 38.1% three‑point marks during the 2025‑26 regular season. The veteran’s 6 rebounds and 4 assists added a multidimensional edge, proving that his game has evolved beyond pure scoring. His usage rate of 32.1% in the regular season underscores his status as the Hawks’ primary facilitator, a role he embraced in Game 2 by initiating the offense in the clutch and finding open shooters in Solomon Hill and Kevin Huerter.

Atlanta’s fourth‑quarter run featured a 9‑0 spurt sparked by McCollum’s mid‑range jumper, flipping the lead for good. The comeback was fueled by a collective defensive effort that forced the Knicks into hurried shots, with Capela registering a crucial block on Isaiah Hartenstein in the final minute of regulation. This blend of individual brilliance and systemic execution reflects the Hawks’ improved culture under Snyder, who has emphasized two-way play and accountability since taking over in 2023.

Historical context for McCollum and the Hawks

Drafted ninth overall in 2013, McCollum spent his first nine seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers before joining Atlanta in a 2024 trade that also sent a future first‑round pick to the Blazers. Since arriving, he has become the Hawks’ primary scorer, averaging 21.4 points per game in the 2025‑26 regular season and helping the team secure the fifth seed for the playoffs. His arrival filled a void left by the departure of Trae Young, providing a veteran presence and a reliable midrange threat that has allowed the offense to diversify beyond heavy isolation plays.

McCollum’s ascent mirrors that of other veteran stars who reinvented their games in their mid‑30s. His willingness to embrace a more collaborative role—screening less, moving without the ball, and prioritizing team spacing—has made him a more efficient threat. This evolution is not lost on analysts, who point to his advanced metrics: a 52.3% true shooting percentage and a 1.12 points per possession on catch–shoot threes in Game 2, figures that place him in the 90th percentile among playoff guards.

Key Developments

• McCollum logged 38 minutes, his highest playoff minute total of the series.
• The Hawks out‑rebounded the Knicks 44‑38, a margin that helped sustain the comeback.
• Nickeil Alexander‑Walker recorded a career‑high 13 points while dishing the highlighted assist.
• Attendance at Madison Square Garden topped 19,000, marking the venue’s second‑largest crowd of the playoffs.
• McCollum’s 32 points moved his career playoff total to 1,245, placing him ninth all‑time among active players.

Impact and what’s next for the Hawks

By evening the series, Atlanta forced New York into a Game 3 on the road, where the Hawks can leverage home‑court advantage in Game 4. McCollum’s scoring burst signals that the veteran can still dominate in high‑leverage moments, a factor that fantasy owners will watch closely as the series progresses. If the Hawks maintain the offensive balance shown in Game 2, they could push the Knicks to a decisive Game 5.

Tactically, the Hawks will look to trap the Knicks early in the offensive sets, using Bogdanović and Garrison Mathews as screens to free McCollum in horns or elevator screen actions. Defensively, they must continue to disrupt Brunson’s rhythm, as his ability to extend plays with his size has been New York’s primary escape valve. For McCollum, the challenge is to sustain this level of aggression without forcing shots, trusting the supporting cast to grow into its role as the series shifts to a hostile environment.