CJ McCollum's Fadeaway With 12.5 Seconds Left Just Broke the Knicks' Hearts Again

Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum hit a fadeaway jumper from 15 feet with 12.5 seconds remaining to lift the Hawks to a 109-108 victory over the New York Knicks on Thursday night. The shot gave Atlanta a 2-1 series lead in their first-round playoff matchup, and it was McCollum's second straight clutch performance after he starred in a Game 2 stunner at Madison Square Garden.

McCollum Takes Over When It Matters Most

With the Hawks trailing by a point, McCollum got the ball in crunch time and delivered. He finished with 23 points, proving why Atlanta brought him into the fold for this exact moment. The Hawks controlled most of this game, building an 18-point lead in the first half, but the Knicks clawed back and took a 108-105 lead on Jalen Brunson's three-point play with just 1:03 left on the clock. That's when McCollum answered. His clutch shot ended any hope of a New York comeback.

Hawks Bench Depth and Star Power Shine Through

It wasn't just McCollum carrying the load. Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 24 points, and Jonathan Kuminga came off the bench to absolutely dominate, finishing with 21 points. For New York, OG Anunoby led the way with 29 points, Brunson added 26, and Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 21 points. It still wasn't enough.

The Knicks had their chances. After Kuminga's basket, Josh Hart's three-pointer missed. New York got the offensive rebound but couldn't get a shot up before the 24-second clock expired. On the final possession, Kuminga knocked the ball away from Brunson and the horn sounded. Game 4 tips off Saturday in Atlanta.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.