CJ McCollum delivered a standout performance, pouring in 32 points as the Atlanta Hawks edged the New York Knicks 107-106 on Monday night, tying the opening round series at one win apiece. The climax was dramatic: McCollum’s late surge nearly fell short when he missed two free throws with just 5.6 seconds left on the clock. The Knicks, forced to push the ball up the court in a final hurry without any timeouts remaining, saw Mikal Bridges miss a potential game‑winning jumper as the buzzer sounded, sealing Atlanta's comeback.
Atlanta had spent the entire second half trailing, finding themselves down by 12 points after three quarters. However, the Hawks methodically chipped away at the deficit. A crucial basket by McCollum gave Atlanta a 101-100 lead with 2:09 remaining, marking the first time they held a lead in the second half of the series. He then extended the advantage with a three‑pointer, only to see Knicks guard Jalen Brunson answer with his own three to knot the score.
McCollum responded once more, sinking a mid‑range jumper that pushed the Hawks ahead 105-103 with 33 seconds remaining. Bench contributor Jonathan Kuminga added 19 points, providing a vital spark off the bench, while Jalen Johnson chipped in 17 points, including a decisive basket with 10 seconds left that cemented a four‑point margin for the No.
6 seed from the Western Conference. The Hawks will host Game Three on Thursday, looking to capitalize on the momentum of this hard‑won victory. For New York, Jalen Brunson posted a solid 29 points, and veteran forward Karl‑Anthony Towns added 18, but the collective effort fell short of the standard they set for themselves. The Knicks are aiming to secure a second‑round berth for the fourth consecutive year, which would represent their longest playoff run since the early 1990s stretch from the 1991‑92 season through 1999‑2000.
In related NBA action, the Minnesota Timberwolves matched the Denver Nuggets 119-114, also tying their Western Conference series at one game each. Anthony Edwards erupted for 30 points, while Julius Randle contributed 24 for Denver.
The Nuggets, who had ridden a 13‑game winning streak dating back to March 18, saw their momentum stall. Edwards turned the ball over with 31 seconds left, and Christian Braun was fouled on the other end, missing one of two free throws that left Denver trailing 115-114 with 19 seconds remaining. After a timeout, Randle sank two free throws and Donte DiVincenzo capped the comeback with a breakaway dunk, erasing a 19‑point first‑quarter deficit. Jamal Murray posted 30 points for Denver, and Nikola Jokic added a well‑rounded stat line of 24 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists.
However, the All‑Star duo struggled from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter, combining for just two of twelve attempts and contributing a paltry four points as the Wolves leveled the series, shifting the next game to Minneapolis on Thursday night. Denver’s history in the playoffs is stark: the Nuggets have never lost a series after winning the first two games, standing at 8‑0 in such situations. Conversely, Minnesota has never won a series after dropping the opening two contests, a record of 0‑8. Murray’s performance included a spectacular 51‑foot three‑pointer at halftime that tied the game at 64, and Jokic ignited the third quarter with 16 points, giving Denver a brief 93-90 edge.
Edwards showed noticeable improvement from his 22‑point outing in Game One, where a sore knee limited his effectiveness. This time, he attacked the rim more aggressively, opting for drives over jump shots. Minnesota outscored Denver 20-3 on second‑chance opportunities, erasing an early 19‑point hole and briefly leading 64-56 before Denver closed the half with an eight‑point run.
Murray, who missed all eight of his three‑point attempts in the series opener, started the night strong, making a three‑pointer and shooting five of seven from deep before the break. He also recorded two four‑point plays in the first quarter, drawing fouls from Ayo Dosunmu both times. Elsewhere, the Cleveland Cavaliers continued their dominant start to the Eastern Conference first‑round series, defeating the Toronto Raptors 115-105 to take a 2-0 lead. Coach Kenny Atkinson praised the star power on the floor, highlighting the contributions of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley.
"This was a superstar game. Those three led us," Atkinson said.
"They hit the big shots. James had four steals in the second half, so excellent defensively. Evan was really good on defense, and Don made some out‑of‑this‑world, incredible shots.
That's why they're stars." Mitchell delivered a 30‑point performance, including four three‑pointers, while also pulling down seven rebounds, dishing five assists, and adding a steal in 37 minutes. Harden contributed 28 points and showcased his defensive instincts with five steals, moving past Rajon Rondo to claim seventh place on the all‑time postseason assists leaderboard with 1,139. Mobley posted a team‑high eight rebounds and scored 25 points on an efficient 11‑of‑13 shooting display.
The Cavaliers' achievement marked the fourth occasion in franchise history that three players each scored at least 25 points in a playoff game. Mitchell's fourth‑quarter burst of nine points, including a stretch of seven consecutive points, helped the Cavs build a commanding 106-90 lead with just over three minutes left.
He capped the night with a stylish 13‑foot turnaround bank shot with 45.3 seconds remaining. Defensively, Harden and Mobley worked in tandem, with Mobley forcing Toronto forward Sandro Mamukelashvili to alter his shot in the paint, and Harden securing a crucial steal with 4:02 left, marking his fourth career playoff game with at least five steals.
Fans can continue to follow the 2026 NBA playoffs live on Sky Sports, with upcoming matchups such as the Philadelphia 76ers versus the Boston Celtics scheduled for Tuesday night on Sky Sports+. The drama of the postseason continues to unfold, delivering thrilling finishes, historic performances, and the relentless pursuit of a championship title.