CJ McCollum poured in 32 points as the Atlanta Hawks edged the New York Knicks 107-106 on Monday night, evening the first‑round series at one game each. Atlanta clawed back from a 12‑point deficit after three quarters, taking a 101-100 lead with just over two minutes left. McCollum’s jumper put the Hawks ahead for the first time in the second half in a hostile arena.

Jonathan Kuminga contributed 19 off the bench while Jalen Johnson added 17, including a decisive basket with ten seconds remaining that stretched Atlanta’s lead to four. Knicks guard Jalen Brunson responded with 29 points and a late three to pull within two, but missed a final jumper as time expired. Karl‑Anthony Towns finished with 18 for New York.

The win gives the No. 6‑seeded Hawks home‑court advantage for Game 3 on Thursday, a chance to capitalize on the momentum that followed the January trade that sent Trae Young to Portland for McCollum. Knicks aim for a fourth consecutive second‑round appearance, their longest streak since the early 1990s, but Atlanta’s young core now controls the series narrative today.