In a dramatic Monday night showdown, the Atlanta Hawks edged the New York Knicks 107-106, evening the best‑of‑seven first‑round series at one win each. The victory was anchored by a standout performance from CJ McCollum, who poured in 32 points and spearheaded a late‑game surge that ultimately secured the win for Atlanta.
The game’s climax was a nail‑biting finish. With just 5.6 seconds left on the clock, McCollum missed two free throws that could have put the Hawks ahead by two. The Knicks, desperate for a final answer, raced the ball up the court without any timeouts remaining. Their hopes were dashed when Mikal Bridges, attempting a game‑winning jumper, saw the ball bounce off the rim as the buzzer sounded, sealing the Hawks’ comeback.
Atlanta’s path to the lead was anything but easy. The Hawks trailed for the entire second half and entered the fourth quarter down by 12 points after three quarters of play. Yet they methodically chipped away at the deficit. A pivotal basket by McCollum gave Atlanta a 101-100 edge with just over two minutes remaining, marking the first time the Hawks held a lead in the second half of the series.
He then extended the advantage to three points, only to see Knicks guard Jalen Brunson answer with a three‑pointer that knotted the score. McCollum responded instantly, knocking down another jumper to push the Hawks ahead 105-103 with 33 seconds remaining.
Off the bench, Jonathan Kuminga contributed 19 points, providing a vital scoring boost, while Jalen Johnson added 17 points, including a clutch basket with ten seconds left that stretched the Hawks’ lead to four. The No. 6 seed from the Western Conference now looks to capitalize on this momentum as they host Game 3 on Thursday. For the Knicks, Brunson delivered a solid 29‑point effort, and veteran Karl‑Anthony Towns added 18 points, but it wasn’t enough to stave off the loss.
New York is aiming for a fourth consecutive second‑round appearance, which would represent their longest playoff run since the early 1990s stretch from the 1991‑92 to 1999‑2000 seasons. In related NBA action, the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied to defeat the Denver Nuggets 119-114, also tying their Western Conference series at one game apiece. Anthony Edwards erupted for 30 points, while Julius Randle supplied 24 points for Denver.
The Nuggets, who had been on a 13‑game winning streak dating back to March 18, saw their momentum evaporate in the final minutes. Edwards turned the ball over with 31 seconds left, and Christian Braun missed one of two free throws, leaving Denver trailing 115-114.
After a timeout, Randle sank two free throws and Donte DiVincenzo capped the comeback with a breakaway dunk, erasing a 19‑point first‑quarter hole. Jamal Murray posted 30 points for Denver, and Nikola Jokic added a double‑double with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. However, the All‑Star duo combined for a dismal 2‑of‑12 shooting in the fourth quarter, contributing only four points as the Wolves forced a series‑leveling win.
Historically, Denver has never lost a series after winning the first two games (8‑0), while Minnesota has struggled in the opposite scenario (0‑8 after dropping the first two). Murray’s earlier three‑pointer from 51 feet at halftime tied the game at 64, and Jokic’s 16‑point third quarter gave Denver a brief 93-90 lead. The Timberwolves also out‑scored Denver 20‑3 on second‑chance opportunities and erased a 19‑point early deficit, briefly leading 64‑56 before Denver answered with an eight‑point run to close the half. Murray, who missed all eight of his three‑point attempts in Game 1, found his rhythm in Game 2, hitting five of seven from beyond the arc before halftime and delivering multiple four‑point plays in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers continued their dominant start to the Eastern Conference first round, beating the Toronto Raptors 115‑105 to take a 2‑0 series lead. The Cavaliers’ success was driven by a trio of star performances. Mitchell contributed 30 points, four three‑pointers, seven rebounds, five assists, and a steal in 37 minutes. James Harden added 28 points and showcased defensive prowess with four steals in the second half, while Evan Mobley posted a team‑high eight rebounds and 25 points on an efficient 11‑of‑13 shooting night.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson praised the trio, noting their ability to hit big shots and defend aggressively. This game marked the fourth time in franchise history that three Cavaliers players have each scored at least 25 points in a playoff contest. Mitchell’s late‑game surge included nine points in the fourth quarter, with seven straight to help the Cavs build a 106‑90 lead with just over three minutes remaining.
He capped the performance with a 13‑foot turnaround bank shot with 45.3 seconds left. Harden’s defensive contributions were highlighted by a crucial steal with just over four minutes remaining, marking his fourth playoff game with at least five steals, and moving him past Rajon Rondo into seventh place on the all‑time postseason assists leaderboard with 1,139. Overall, Monday night’s NBA action featured several tightly contested games, dramatic comebacks, and standout individual performances that set the stage for intriguing developments as the playoffs progress. The Hawks, Wolves, and Cavaliers each demonstrated resilience and depth, suggesting that the road to the conference finals will be filled with further excitement and high‑stakes basketball.
Fans can continue to follow the action live on Sky Sports, with upcoming matchups including the Philadelphia 76ers versus the Boston Celtics on Sky Sports+ at 11 p.m. on Tuesday.