McCollum's late jumper gives Hawks 2-1 series edge
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ATLANTA — C.J. McCollum hit a fadeaway jumper with 12.5 seconds left to lift the Atlanta Hawks to a 109-108 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 3, giving Atlanta a 2-1 lead in the first-round series. McCollum finished with 23 points and Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 24; Jonathan Kuminga added 21 off the bench. New York had rallied to a 108-105 edge on Jalen Brunson's three-point play with 1:03 remaining, but after a late sequence that included a missed Josh Hart 3 and an offensive rebound the Knicks could not get a timely shot and Brunson turned the ball over as the horn sounded.
ATLANTA — Hawks coach Quin Snyder called McCollum's shot "a great shot" and stressed the team effort, saying, "They work, they share." Atlanta led nearly the entire game, building an 18-point advantage in the first half after outscoring New York 27-12 in the final seven minutes of the opening quarter, an early surge that included an 11-0 run and three straight 3-pointers by Mouhamed Gueye and Jonathan Kuminga. Knicks coach Mike Brown lamented missed calls around the basket and said his team must make better decisions going forward. Game 4 is Saturday in Atlanta.
More context
Timeline
- 1. Regular season: Josh Hart recorded a career-best 41.3% 3-point rate (season stat referenced in coverage).
- 2. Earlier in series: C.J. McCollum starred for the Hawks in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.
- 3. Game 3 (Thursday): McCollum hit the decisive jumper with about 12.5 seconds remaining; Hawks won 109-108.
- 4. Postgame reactions: Coaches commented on team effort; Knicks acknowledged missed opportunities and late execution issues.
- 5. Next steps: Teams prepare for Game 4 with Atlanta leading the series 2-1 and New York seeking corrective measures.
Why it matters
This game shows the Hawks' resilience and teamwork. If you're a Hawks fan, it's a thrilling victory. For Knicks fans, it's a reminder of the need for better decision-making on court. Either way, it's a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of the playoffs.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
