NBA playoffs: CJ McCollum, Hawks erupt in fourth quarter to stun Knicks and even series 1-1

NBA playoffs: CJ McCollum, Hawks erupt in fourth quarter to stun Knicks and even series 1-1

Well, the Hawks are headed back to Atlanta with an even series after all.

The Hawks rallied out of a double-digit hole in the fourth quarter and absolutely shut down the New York Knicks in the final period to grab a 107-106 win in Game 2 of their opening-round playoff series. That tied the series up 1-1 as it shifts to Atlanta later this week.

The Hawks, despite entering the final period down by 12, opened the fourth quarter on a 20-9 tear and cut the game back to just a single point after a Jalen Johnson layup that forced a Knicks timeout. Eventually, it was CJ McCollum that put the Hawks back in the lead with a layup of his own, marking the team’s first lead since early in the second quarter.

Eventually, it was McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker who sealed the deal. After Jalen Brunson missed a bucket on the other end that would have put the Knicks back out in front, McCollum expertly drilled a fadeaway shot from the short corner over OG Anunoby to push the Hawks out in front.

Alexander-Walker then blocked Brunson on the other end and found Johnson on a fast break to suddenly give the Hawks a two-possession lead.

Brunson did hit a 3-pointer after that, and had a shot at a game-winner after McCollum missed two shots at the line, but Bridges was off the mark. That officially gave the Hawks the stunning one-point win.