NBA roundup: Behind CJ McCollum, Hawks rally to even series with Knicks

Field Level Media|published: Tue 21st April, 02:47 2026

NBA: Playoffs-Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks

Apr 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) drives to the basket against New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) during the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

CJ McCollum scored six of his game-high 32 points in the final two-plus minutes Monday night for the visiting Atlanta Hawks, who stormed back from an eight-point deficit in the last five minutes to stun the New York Knicks 107-106 in Game 2 of an Eastern Conference first-round series.

The Hawks ended on a 15-6 run to even the best-of-seven series at a game apiece.

McCollum missed two free throws with 5.6 seconds left. The Knicks had a timeout left, but they pushed the ball up the court and Josh Hart dished to Mikal Bridges, who missed a 12-foot attempt for the win from the left wing as time expired.

Jonathan Kuminga had 19 points off the bench for the Hawks while Jalen Johnson (17 points) and Onyeka Okongwu (15 points) also got into double figures. Jalen Brunson scored 29 points for the Knicks. Hart recorded 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points.

Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105

Donovan Mitchell scored nine of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden had 28 points, lifting Cleveland over visiting Toronto for a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

The Cavaliers beat Toronto for the 12th straight time in the playoffs, tying the NBA record for consecutive playoff wins over a single opponent. Mitchell added seven boards and five assists, while Harden also had five steals and four assists. Evan Mobley had 25 points and eight rebounds.

Scottie Barnes scored a playoff career-high 26 points for the Raptors, who never led.

Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 114

Anthony Edwards posted 30 points and 10 rebounds, Donte DiVincenzo hit a clutch 3-pointer with 1:05 left, and visiting Minnesota rallied from a 19-point deficit to beat Denver in Game 2 to level their playoff series.

Julius Randle had 24 points and nine rebounds and hit two free throws with 18.8 seconds left to help Minnesota even the Western Conference quarterfinal matchup. DiVincenzo finished with 16 points and Jaden McDaniels had 14 points.

Jamal Murray had 30 points for the second straight game and Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for Denver, which lost for the first time since March 18.

--Field Level Media

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