Hawks take 2-1 lead vs Knicks after McCollum's late shot

The Atlanta Hawks now lead the New York Knicks 2-1 in their playoff series. This is a change from the series being tied 1-1 after Game 2.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Hawks now hold a 2-1 advantage in their first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, following a 109-108 victory in Game 3 on Thursday night. The decisive blow came from CJ McCollum, whose fadeaway jumper with 12.5 seconds remaining proved to be the game-winner.

McCollum’s late-game proficiency has now twice stolen wins from the Knicks in this series, turning him into a focal point of their struggles. After McCollum’s shot, the Knicks failed to get a subsequent attempt off before the shot clock expired, despite securing an offensive rebound.

Jalen Johnson paced the Hawks with 24 points, while Jonathan Kuminga provided significant support from the bench with 21 points. The Knicks had briefly taken a 108-105 lead on Jalen Brunson's 3-point play with just over a minute left, a lead that ultimately evaporated.

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A Pattern Emerges

This Game 3 outcome echoes the narrative of Game 2, where McCollum was again instrumental in a Hawks comeback. Three days prior, McCollum’s 32-point performance fueled a stunning fourth-quarter rally, enabling Atlanta to overcome a double-digit deficit and secure a 107-106 victory, leveling the series at 1-1.

"CJ McCollum does it to the Knicks again, delivers winning bucket in final seconds as Hawks take Game 3."

The series now shifts back, with the Knicks facing a critical juncture as they attempt to recover from a significant deficit. The Hawks, conversely, appear to be building momentum on their home court.

Series Snapshot

GameDateWinnerScoreSeriesLocationKey Hawks Contributor
1[Past]Knicks[Score]NYK leads 1-0[Location][N/A]
2MondayHawks107-106Tied 1-1MSGCJ McCollum (32 pts)
3ThursdayHawks109-108ATL leads 2-1AtlantaCJ McCollum

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did the Hawks take the lead against the Knicks in Game 3 on Thursday?
The Atlanta Hawks won Game 3 against the New York Knicks with a score of 109-108. CJ McCollum made the winning basket with only 12.5 seconds left in the game. This win gives the Hawks a 2-1 lead in the playoff series.
Q: Who scored the most points for the Hawks in Game 3 against the Knicks?
Jalen Johnson was the top scorer for the Atlanta Hawks in Game 3, scoring 24 points. Jonathan Kuminga also had a strong game, adding 21 points off the bench.
Q: What was the score before CJ McCollum's winning shot in Game 3?
The New York Knicks had a small lead of 108-105 just before CJ McCollum scored the winning basket. Jalen Brunson had made a 3-point play to give the Knicks that lead with a little over a minute left.
Q: How did CJ McCollum help the Hawks win Game 2 against the Knicks?
CJ McCollum was also the key player in Game 2, scoring 32 points. His performance helped the Hawks come back from a big deficit in the fourth quarter to win 107-106 and tie the series at 1-1.