Hawks Edge Knicks in Thriller, Series Now 1-1! McCollum Scores 32+6, Kuminga Adds 19, Bridges Misses Game-Winner

On April 21, Beijing time, the Hawks claimed a dramatic 107-106 road win against the Knicks, erasing a 14-point lead to level the series at 1-1. Brunson posted 29 points and 7 assists for the Knicks, who held a maximum 14-point advantage, but the Hawks mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to prevail. McCollum exploded for 32 points, the highest on his team; he misfired on two key free throws, though Bridges missed the final shot attempt. The contest was fiercely competitive, with technical fouls assessed to the Knicks' Mitchell Robinson and Jose Alvarado, as well as to the Hawks' McCollum.

Statistical Breakdown

Hawks: McCollum 32 points, 6 assists, 2 steals; Kuminga 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals; Okongwu 15 points, 8 rebounds; Johnson 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists; Walker 9 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks; Daniels 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals; Kispert 4 points.

Knicks: Brunson 29 points, 7 assists; Towns 18 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks; Hart 15 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists; Anunoby 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals; Robinson 13 points, 7 rebounds; Bridges 10 points; Clarkson 7 points, 5 rebounds.

Player of the Game

Despite missing two critical free throws, McCollum delivered an outstanding overall performance, leading the Hawks' comeback against the Knicks.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Towns scored on a layup, Hart attacked the paint repeatedly, and Bridges hit a three-pointer, giving the Knicks a 10-4 start. Okongwu also connected from deep, but the Knicks' offense was more potent: Brunson sank a three, Towns added another layup, Robinson scored on a putback, Okongwu hit another three, Robinson finished an alley-oop dunk, and Anunoby slammed home a dunk, pushing the Knicks' lead to 11 points. McCollum scored 5 consecutive points; Robinson stepped over Daniels who was on the floor, earning a technical foul. Brunson made a layup, and the quarter ended with the Knicks leading 32-23.

In the second quarter, Kuminga and Walker hit threes, Kispert and Bradley scored on layups, McCollum and Kuminga dunked, and the Hawks used a 13-3 run to take a 1-point lead. Robinson and Clarkson scored in response, allowing the Knicks to rebuild a 7-point advantage. Vincent, Walker, and McCollum hit threes, while Anunoby and Hart scored via free throws. After McCollum converted an and-one, he added another three-pointer. Brunson and Bridges scored on layups. The half concluded with the Knicks leading 61-54. McCollum had 18 points at halftime; four Knicks players reached double figures: Brunson with 12 points and 6 assists, Robinson with 11 points and 5 rebounds, Hart and Bridges each with 10 points.

After the break, Hart and Towns hit threes, and Hart added a mid-range jumper. Johnson scored 4 straight points, and Okongwu made two baskets. For the Knicks, Anunoby dunked, Towns scored on a putback, extending their lead to 14 points. Johnson completed an and-one, Brunson hit a jumper, McCollum scored consecutively, and the Hawks trailed by 7. Towns made a layup and then hit a three-pointer. McCollum and Alvarado exchanged heated words face-to-face, each receiving a technical foul. The third quarter ended with the Knicks leading 91-79.

In the final quarter, Kispert scored on a layup, Okongwu dunked. Kuminga and Okongwu followed with dunks. Anunoby hit a three, Kuminga answered with an and-one, Johnson made a layup, narrowing the gap to 4 points. Brunson scored 4 straight points to steady the Knicks. Kuminga added a layup, Walker sank a three. Kuminga blocked Brunson, Johnson scored on a layup, McCollum made a floater, giving the Hawks a 1-point lead. Anunoby missed two free throws, McCollum scored again on a floater, Brunson responded with a three, tying the game. McCollum hit a mid-range shot, Kuminga dunked, Brunson hit another three. The Knicks employed intentional fouling tactics; McCollum missed two free throws, Bridges missed the potential game-winning shot, and ultimately the Hawks secured the victory.

Starting Lineups

Hawks: Walker, McCollum, Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Okongwu.

Knicks: Brunson, Bridges, Hart, Anunoby, Towns.