McCollum’s Late Surge Ties Hawks‑Knicks Series at 1‑1

The Hawks entered the fourth quarter down eight points after trailing by as many as 14 in the third. Their only lead before the final stretch came early at 36‑35. With 5:26 left, Jalen Brunson’s floater put New York ahead 100‑92. Atlanta then scored on three straight possessions to pull within 100‑99. Jonathan Kuminga contributed 19 points off the bench, while Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu each reached double figures. For New York, Jalen Brunson led with 29 points, supported by Josh Hart’s 15 points and 13 rebounds and Karl‑Anthony Towns’ 18 points.

- McCollum finished with 32 points, six of which came in the last 2+ minutes, including the go‑ahead layup with 2:08 left and the decisive fadeaway jumper with 33.5 seconds remaining. - Atlanta shot 13‑of‑18 (72.2%) in the fourth quarter, while New York managed only 5‑of‑22 (22.7%). - The Hawks closed the game on a 15‑6 run, sealing the 107‑106 win and evening the series at 1‑1.

The shooting disparity highlights Atlanta’s ability to execute under pressure, a contrast to New York’s struggles in the final period. McCollum’s veteran poise provided the scoring burst the Hawks needed when their offense had stalled. For New York, the low fourth‑quarter percentage raises questions about shot selection and defensive rotations late in close games. Atlanta may look to maintain its aggressive perimeter defense to force New York into low‑percentage looks, while the Knicks might need to create better looks for Brunson and reduce reliance on contested jumpers. The tie sets up a pivotal Game 3 in Atlanta, where home‑court advantage could shift momentum.

In Game 3, look for whether the Knicks can improve their fourth‑quarter efficiency and if the Hawks can sustain their late‑game shooting while managing turnovers from their backcourt.