Former Teammates CJ McCollum and Jose Alvarado Get Into It as Hawks Stun Knicks 

Both players shared time together in New Orleans, making the moment more than just in-game tension. CJ McCollum, however, had the final word where it mattered most.

The veteran guard finished with 32 points, leading Atlanta to a 107-106 comeback win after trailing by double digits. He scored six of the Hawks’ final eight points, including the go-ahead jumper with 33 seconds left, continuing his strong form in the series.

The Garden crowd responded accordingly, directing chants toward him throughout the night. Though the 34-year-old embraced the environment.

“I love it… it’s fun being in opposing arenas and when the buzzer sounds and it’s quiet,” he said.

Acquired midseason in a trade that sent Trae Young out of Atlanta, CJ McCollum has quickly stepped into a leadership role while providing late-game scoring. Head coach Quin Snyder pointed to that balance as a key reason behind the move.

CJ McCollum Keeping Hawks Afloat At Right Time

While there are many questions that remain around the roster, CJ McCollum is anchoring the Atlanta Hawks when it matters most.

The veteran guard helped Atlanta erase an eight-point deficit in the final five minutes. He accounted for six of the Hawks’ closing points during a decisive 15-6 run that evened the series at 1-1.

While he missed two free throws with 5.6 seconds left, the damage had already been done. New York failed to capitalize on the final possession, sealing the comeback.

Beyond the numbers, McCollum controlled the tempo late, consistently attacking mismatches and stabilizing the offense under pressure. Additionally, his leadership has been central through two games, especially in tight fourth-quarter situations.

Atlanta also saw support from Jonathan Kuminga (19 points), Jalen Johnson (17), and Onyeka Okongwu (15), but the late-game execution revolved around CJ McCollum.