CJ McCollum Just Won a Game the Hawks Nearly Blew, and Atlanta Suddenly Looks Dangerous

The Atlanta Hawks are in the Knicks' head right now, and CJ McCollum is the reason why. The 34-year-old sharpshooter hit a clutch 15-foot jumper on Thursday night to lift Atlanta to a 109-108 victory, giving the Hawks a 2-1 series lead over the favored New York Knicks in the East first round.

This is McCollum's second straight game coming through in the clutch. He ran around a screen to grab an inbounds pass and buried it when Atlanta needed it most, even after the Hawks nearly squandered a lead they held almost the entire game. That's the kind of poise you don't teach.

The Trade Changed Everything About This Team

Remember when Trae Young was the guy the Hawks turned to in moments like this? That era is officially over. The franchise sent Young to the Washington Wizards in a blockbuster trade, and McCollum arrived to replace him as the closer. It was a massive swing for Atlanta, one that looked questionable early in the season when the Hawks stumbled out of the gates. But then McCollum sparked a late-season run that completely turned things around.

Hawks coach Quin Snyder watched McCollum deliver again and wasn't surprised one bit. When you've got a veteran who's been around forever and seen every pressure situation imaginable, you trust him in these moments.

McCollum's Mindset Is Exactly What You Need

After the game, McCollum kept it real. "I'm comfortable with failure. I'm comfortable with success," he said. "I've played a long time. I really cherish the game." That's not arrogance. That's the perspective of a guy who knows you're going to have moments where things don't go your way, and you just move on to the next one.

The Hawks were supposed to be in flux after moving their franchise centerpiece. Instead, they're up 2-1 on a Knicks team everyone penciled in as a favorite. Atlanta's got momentum heading back to New York. Game 4 looms, and the Hawks are playing with the confidence of a team that just discovered its new closer.

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