CJ McCollum delivered a standout performance, tallying 32 points as the Atlanta Hawks pulled off a dramatic 107-106 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night, tying their opening round matchup at one game each. The win was secured in the final seconds of a tightly contested battle, with McCollum spearheading a late offensive surge that almost slipped away when he missed two free throws with 5.6 seconds left on the clock. The Knicks, desperate to capitalize, rushed the ball up the court despite having no timeouts remaining, but Mikal Bridges’ final jump shot fell short as the buzzer sounded, sealing the Hawks' comeback.
Atlanta had spent the entire second half trailing, finding themselves down by 12 points after three quarters. Yet the Hawks methodically chipped away at the deficit, and a crucial basket by McCollum gave them a 101-100 edge with 2:09 remaining – their first lead of the series in the second half. He then knocked down a second jumper to push the lead to three points. New York’s point guard Jalen Brunson answered with a three‑pointer to knot the score, but McCollum responded quickly, sinking another mid‑range shot to make it 105-103 with just 33 seconds left.
Off the bench, Jonathan Kuminga contributed 19 points, while Jalen Johnson added 17, including a decisive basket with 10 seconds remaining that extended Atlanta’s advantage to four. The No. 6 seed from the Western Conference now prepares to host Game 3 on Thursday, hoping to build on the momentum of this hard‑won triumph.
For the Knicks, Brunson finished with 29 points and veteran forward Karl‑Anthony Towns added 18. New York is aiming to reach the second round for a fourth consecutive season, a stretch that would mark its longest playoff run since the early 1990s era spanning 1991‑92 through 1999‑2000.
"This is a game we should have won," Knicks forward Josh Hart remarked after the loss. "In the playoffs you can't give away games." In another first‑round showdown, the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied past the Denver Nuggets 119-114, also tying their series at one game apiece. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 30 points, while Julius Randle contributed 24.
The Wolves erased a 19‑point first‑quarter hole and overcame a 13‑game winning streak Denver had built since March 18. The climax came in the final minute when Edwards turned the ball over with 31 seconds left. Colorado’s Christian Braun was fouled on the other end but missed one of two free throws, leaving the Nuggets trailing 115-114 with 19 seconds remaining.
After a timeout, Randle calmly sank both free throws, and Donte DiVincenzo finished the comeback with a breakaway dunk, capping a remarkable turnaround after Minnesota had been down 19 early in the game. Denver’s star duo of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic combined for 54 points – Murray with 30 and Jokic adding 24 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists – yet they shot a dismal 2‑for‑12 from the field in the fourth quarter, managing only four points as the Wolves forced a series‑level tie. Historically, the Nuggets have never lost a series after winning the first two games (8‑0), while Minnesota has struggled in similar situations, holding an 0‑8 record when dropping the opening two contests.
Murray’s performance included a spectacular 51‑foot three‑pointer at halftime that tied the game at 64, and he was a perfect five‑for‑seven from beyond the arc before the break. After a quiet start, Jokic exploded in the third quarter, pouring in 16 points to give Denver a 93-90 lead. Edwards, who had been hampered by a sore knee in Game 1 and managed only 22 points, showed significant improvement, attacking the rim more aggressively and limiting his reliance on jump shots. The Timberwolves out‑rebounded Denver on second‑chance opportunities, scoring 20 to 3, and turned a 19‑point deficit into a 64-56 lead before the Nuggets rallied to close the half with an eight‑point run.
Murray, who missed all eight of his three‑point attempts in the series opener, started this game with a three‑pointer and was five‑for‑seven from deep before the intermission, also converting two four‑point plays in the first quarter after being fouled by 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’ trio of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley each delivered star‑level performances.
Mitchell poured in 30 points, hitting four three‑pointers, grabbing seven rebounds, dishing five assists, and adding a steal in 37 minutes. Harden contributed 28 points and showcased his defensive instincts with four steals in the second half, moving past Rajon Rondo to rank seventh all‑time in postseason assists (1,139).
Mobley posted a team‑high eight rebounds and scored 25 points on an efficient 11‑of‑13 shooting. Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson praised the collective effort, noting, "This was a superstar game. Those three led us. They hit the big shots.
James had four steals in the second half, so excellent defensively. Evan really good defensively and Don just made some out‑of‑this‑world, incredible shots. That's why they're stars." The victory marked the fourth occasion in franchise history that Cleveland has had at least three players drop 25 or more points in a playoff contest.
Mitchell’s fourth‑quarter surge – nine points, including a run of seven straight – helped the Cavs build a 106-90 lead with just over three minutes left. He capped the night with a 13‑foot turnaround bank shot with 45.3 seconds remaining, adding flair to an already impressive performance.
Overall, Monday’s action highlighted the unpredictable nature of the NBA playoffs, with multiple series tied after two games and several teams demonstrating resilience under pressure. The Hawks, Wolves, and Cavaliers each displayed the ability to adjust tactics, rely on bench contributions, and execute clutch plays when the stakes were highest. Fans can look forward to Game 3 in Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Cleveland as the postseason narrative continues to unfold, with each matchup promising further drama, strategic battles, and the potential for historic runs.