CJ McCollum delivered a standout performance, pouring in 32 points as the Atlanta Hawks rallied to edge the New York Knicks 107-106 on Monday night, tying their opening round series at one win each. The game unfolded as a dramatic back‑and‑forth battle, with the Hawks clawing back from a deficit that persisted through most of the second half. After falling behind by 12 points entering the final quarter, Atlanta methodically chipped away at the lead, and a decisive basket by McCollum gave the Hawks a 101-100 advantage with just over two minutes left—marking their first lead of the night in the second half. McCollum’s scoring spree continued as he knocked down another jumper to stretch the lead to three.
The Knicks answered through Jalen Brunson, who nailed a three‑pointer to knot the score. Undeterred, McCollum responded with a clutch mid‑range shot, pushing Atlanta ahead 105-103 with 33 seconds remaining. In the closing moments, the Knicks attempted a final push, but a missed free throw by McCollum with 5.6 seconds left and a rushed inbound pass set up Mikal Bridges, who saw his last‑second jumper bounce off the rim, sealing the Hawks' comeback.
Off the bench, Jonathan Kuminga contributed 19 points, providing a vital spark for Atlanta, while Jalen Johnson added 17 points, including a crucial basket with ten seconds left that cemented a four‑point margin for the No. 6 seed. For New York, Brunson tallied 29 points, and veteran Karl‑Anthony Towns added 18 in an effort to keep the Knicks alive.
The loss keeps New York’s quest for a fourth consecutive second‑round appearance—its longest playoff run since the early 1990s—still pending. In other first‑round action, the Minnesota Timberwolves matched the Denver Nuggets 119-114, evening their Western Conference series. Anthony Edwards erupted for 30 points, while Julius Randle supplied 24 for Denver.
The Nuggets, who had enjoyed a 13‑game winning streak before the playoffs, saw their momentum stall as the Wolves erased a 19‑point first‑quarter hole. A critical sequence unfolded with 31 seconds left when Edwards turned the ball over; Christian Braun was fouled but missed one of two free throws, leaving Denver down 115-114.
After a timeout, Randle calmly sank two free throws, and Donte DiVincenzo capped the comeback with a breakaway dunk, giving Minnesota a 119-115 lead. Jamal Murray recorded 30 points for Denver, and Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists, but the duo struggled from deep, combining for just two of twelve attempts in the fourth quarter. Their poor shooting allowed the Wolves to even the series, which now shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3. Historically, Denver has never lost the first two games of a playoff series, while Minnesota has yet to win both opening contests against a Western opponent.
The game also featured a spectacular 51‑foot three‑pointer by Murray at halftime, tying the score at 64. Jokic found his rhythm in the third quarter, pouring in 16 points to give Denver a 93-90 edge. Meanwhile, Edwards showed noticeable improvement from his 22‑point outing in Game 1, attacking the rim more aggressively and limiting his reliance on jump shots. In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers continued their dominance over the Toronto Raptors, securing a 115-105 victory to take a 2-0 series lead.
Coach Kenny Atkinson praised the trio of stars—Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley—calling it a "superstar game" in which each delivered crucial big‑shot moments. Mitchell contributed 30 points, shooting efficiently from beyond the arc, and added seven rebounds, five assists, and a steal in 37 minutes. Harden supplied 28 points and showcased his defensive acumen with four steals in the second half, while Mobley posted a team‑high eight rebounds and 25 points on an impressive 11-of-13 shooting display. The Cavaliers’ performance marked the fourth occasion in franchise history that three players have each scored at least 25 points in a single playoff game.
Mitchell’s fourth‑quarter surge—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 dazzling 13‑foot turnaround bank shot with 45.3 seconds remaining. Harden’s overall efficiency (9-of-14 shooting) and defensive contributions (five steals) also stood out, moving him past Rajon Rondo into seventh place on the all‑time postseason assists leaderboard with 1,139 assists.
Defensively, Mobley and Harden coordinated effectively, with Mobley forcing Toronto’s Sandro Mamukelashvili to alter his shot in the paint and Harden generating a crucial steal with just over four minutes left—his fourth career playoff game featuring at least five steals. The Cavaliers’ blend of offensive firepower and tenacious defense underscored their intent to push deep into the postseason. Overall, Monday night’s NBA action highlighted the unpredictable nature of the playoffs, where momentum can swing in an instant and veteran experience mixes with youthful energy. The Hawks’ resilience after trailing for most of the second half, the Wolves’ ability to overturn a sizable early deficit, and the Cavaliers’ star‑powered execution all point to a thrilling postseason ahead.
Fans can continue to follow the drama as the series progress, with upcoming games slated for Thursday night in Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Cleveland, and further matchups broadcast on Sky Sports and other platforms.