CJ McCollum delivered a standout performance, pouring in 32 points as the Atlanta Hawks mounted a dramatic comeback to defeat the New York Knicks 107-106 on Monday night, tying the best‑of‑seven series at one game each. The victory was secured in the final seconds of a tightly contested battle that saw both teams exchange leads and clutch shots. The Hawks entered the second half trailing for the entire duration and found themselves down by 12 points after the third quarter. However, Atlanta began chipping away at the deficit, and a crucial 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 then extended the lead to three points, but Knicks guard Jalen Brunson answered with a three‑pointer to knot the score. Undeterred, McCollum responded with another jumper, pushing the Hawks ahead 105-103 with 33 seconds remaining. In the closing moments, the Knicks attempted a rapid advance up the court despite having no timeouts left. McCollum missed two free throws with 5.6 seconds on the clock, giving New York a brief chance to win.
The ball was inbounded, but Mikal Bridges missed a final shot as the buzzer sounded, sealing the Hawks' win. Supporting McCollum, Jonathan Kuminga contributed 19 points off the bench, while Jalen Johnson added 17, including a decisive bucket with 10 seconds left that cemented a four‑point margin for the sixth‑seeded Hawks, who will host Game Three on Thursday. For the Knicks, Brunson finished with 29 points and Karl‑Anthony Towns added 18, but their efforts fell short of extending the series lead. New York is aiming to reach the conference semifinals for a fourth consecutive season, a run that would represent their longest playoff streak since the early 1990s.
After the loss, Knicks forward Josh Hart reflected on the missed opportunity, saying, "This is a game we should have won. In the playoffs you can't give away games." In another first‑round matchup, the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied from a 19‑point first‑quarter deficit to beat the Denver Nuggets 119-114, also tying their series at one game apiece. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 30 points, while Julius Randle added 24. The Wolves overcame a 13‑game winning streak that Denver had built since March 18.
The closing minutes were tense. With 31 seconds left, Edwards turned the ball over, and Christian Braun was fouled on the other end. Braun missed one of two free throws, leaving 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, turning a 19‑point early hole into a victory. Denver’s star duo, Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, combined for a paltry two‑for‑12 shooting in the fourth quarter, contributing only four points as the Nuggets squandered a chance to seize control of the series.
Historically, Denver has won its first two games in a playoff series eight times, while Minnesota has never won after dropping the opening two contests. Murray’s 30 points and Jokic’s 24 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists were not enough to offset the Wolves' surge. Murray’s performance included a spectacular 51‑foot three‑pointer at halftime that tied the game at 64. Jokic, after a quiet start, exploded in the third quarter with 16 points, helping Denver briefly lead 93-90.
Edwards, who had a modest 22‑point outing in Game One due to a sore knee, displayed a more aggressive approach in Game Two, driving to the basket more often and improving his shooting rhythm. Minnesota dominated the second‑chance points battle, outscoring Denver 20-3, and turned a 64-56 lead into a 107-106 win despite Denver’s late surge. Murray, who missed all eight of his three‑point attempts in the series opener, began Game Two with a three‑pointer and was five‑for‑seven from beyond the arc before halftime.
He also recorded two four‑point plays in the first quarter, both resulting from fouls drawn on Ayo Dosunmu. Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers continued their dominant start by defeating the Toronto Raptors 115-105, taking a 2-0 series lead. The Cavs benefited from a trio of standout performances: Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley. Mitchell poured in 30 points, hitting four three‑pointers and adding seven rebounds, five assists, and a steal in 37 minutes.
Harden contributed 28 points and showcased his defensive prowess with four steals in the second half. Mobley recorded a team‑high eight rebounds and scored 25 points on an efficient 11‑of‑13 shooting. Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson praised the trio, noting their ability to hit big shots and make critical defensive plays. The victory marked the fourth time in franchise history that three Cavaliers players have each scored at least 25 points in a playoff game.
Mitchell’s fourth‑quarter surge, which included nine points and a seven‑point streak, helped the team build a 106-90 lead with just over three minutes left. He capped the night with a memorable 13‑foot turnaround bank shot with 45.3 seconds remaining.
Harden’s performance also earned him a place in the record books, as he moved past Rajon Rondo to become seventh all‑time in career postseason assists with 1,139. On defense, Mobley forced Toronto’s Sandro Mamukelashvili to alter his shot in the paint, while Harden recorded a crucial steal with 4:02 left, marking his fourth playoff game with at least five steals. The early rounds of the 2026 NBA playoffs are delivering high‑intensity basketball, dramatic comebacks, and memorable individual feats.
Fans can continue to follow the action live on Sky Sports, with upcoming games including the Philadelphia 76ers facing the Boston Celtics on Sky Sports+ at 11 p.m. on Tuesday evening. The postseason narrative is still being written, and each series promises further twists as teams vie for a coveted spot in the conference finals.