The Hawks trailed by 12 heading into the fourth quarter, but McCollum fueled the comeback with timely scoring, finishing 12-for-22 from the field and adding three rebounds, six assists and two steals. He totaled six points in the final period, including several clutch baskets to seal the win.
The game featured a tense moment in the third quarter when McCollum got nose-to-nose with former Pelicans teammate Jose Alvarado, resulting in technical fouls for both players as the exchange drew a charged MSG crowd.
After the final horn, McCollum downplayed the confrontation, saying “That’s just basketball” and emphasizing the high stakes and his role as a family man, while denying any villainous label and framing the moment as part of the playoffs atmosphere.
The incident with Alvarado added to a broader backdrop of friction between Hawks and Knicks figures, including McCollum’s earlier comments about Jalen Brunson after Game 1 that drew fan reaction and speculation about how he’s viewed by Knicks supporters.
With the series now tied, the teams will return to Atlanta for Game 3 at State Farm Arena, scheduled for Thursday at 7:00 p.m. EST, as both sides look to gain separation in the tightly contested opening round.
