CJ McCollum led the Hawks with 32 points in Game 2 against the Knicks, despite facing intense hostility from Knicks fans. He is trying to navigate his new role as a playoff villain without fully embracing it.
CJ McCollum trying not to embrace new role as Knicksā playoff villain originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Five years after the Atlanta Hawks took care of the New York Knicks in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the two franchises are once again locked into a competitive series.
CJ McCollum, doing his best Trae Young impression, put the Hawks on his back Monday night, leading his team in scoring with 32 points on 12 of 22 shooting from the field. He was consistently knocking down must-have shots down the stretch of Game 2.
The Madison Square Garden faithful let McCollum have it during the game. Expletive chants rained down on the veteran throughout the third quarter of Game 2. But it wasĀ McCollum who ended up having the last laugh, and he seems to be embracing his new role.
After Game 2, McCollum was asked about the expletives from the Garden faithful, and he did his best to downplay the narrative of becoming the new villain in New York.
"I ain't no villain, I'm a nice guy with two kids and a wife. I think it's admiration. Great, passionate fans. Really hostile environment. It's fun, it's basketball, it's the playoffs. I love it. It's why we play the game,"Ā McCollum said via Clutch Points' Kris Pursiainen.
Clearly, McCollum isn't interested in playing the role of villain for Knicks fans, but it may not be up to him.
If he keeps playing as he did in Game 2 throughout the series, he'll etch his name in the recent history books with the likes of Trae Young and .
CJ McCollum scored 32 points on 12 of 22 shooting, leading the Hawks to victory.
Knicks fans directed expletive chants at McCollum throughout the third quarter of Game 2.
CJ McCollum is trying not to fully embrace his new role as a playoff villain despite the hostility from Knicks fans.
Bruins beat Sabres 4-2 to tie playoff series at 1-1

Mets return home to chilly reception from fans during 11-game losing streak.
V. J. Edgecombe of the 76ers broke NBA Playoffs records previously held by Tim Duncan and Magic Johnson, scoring 30 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a win against the Celtics. This performance marks him as the first rookie to achieve such a feat in the playoffs since Duncan.
Nathan Church's two-run homer leads Cardinals to a 5-3 win over Marlins.
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.