The Atlanta Hawks beat the New York Knicks 107-106 on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Madison Square Garden, with CJ McCollum leading all scorers with 32 points in a one-point Game 2 finish that evened the first-round NBA playoff series at 1-1.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

New York opened sharply and took a 32-23 lead after one quarter. The Knicks controlled the pace early, moved into their offense cleanly, and built separation with a strong start on both ends.

Second Quarter

Atlanta responded in the second, outscoring New York 31-29. That trimmed the Knicks’ lead to 61-54 at halftime and gave the Hawks needed stability after a slow opening period. McCollum’s shot creation helped Atlanta stay within reach.

Third Quarter

The Knicks edged the third quarter 30-25 and entered the final period ahead 91-79. At that point, New York looked positioned to take a 2-0 series lead after building a 12-point cushion through three quarters.

Fourth Quarter

The game turned in the final 12 minutes. Atlanta outscored New York 28-15 in the fourth quarter, producing the biggest swing of the night. The Hawks were more efficient late, while the Knicks’ offense stalled. That closing stretch flipped the result and gave Atlanta the road win.

Key Performers

Atlanta Hawks:
CJ McCollum led the Hawks with 32 points and 6 assists, setting the tone for the comeback. Jalen Johnson added 8 rebounds to lead Atlanta on the glass. As a team, the Hawks shot 49.4% from the field and made 18 of 23 free throws.

New York Knicks:
Jalen Brunson led New York with 29 points and 7 assists, again serving as the Knicks’ primary offensive engine. Josh Hart grabbed 13 rebounds, helping New York finish with a 47-36 edge on the boards. The Knicks made 39 field goals but went just 17-for-27 at the free-throw line.

NerdSports Stat: The Knicks won the rebound battle by 11 and led by 12 entering the fourth quarter, but their 15-point final period was their lowest-scoring quarter of the game and opened the door for Atlanta’s one-point comeback.

Game Analysis

This result came down to late-game execution. New York did enough through three quarters to control the scoreboard, but the fourth quarter changed everything. The Knicks shot 44.8% overall, but their offensive rhythm dropped late and missed free throws became more costly in a one-point game.

Atlanta’s efficiency helped offset New York’s rebounding advantage. The Hawks shot 49.4% from the field and matched the Knicks with 22 assists, showing a balanced offensive approach even without a major three-point edge. Atlanta hit 9 threes to New York’s 11, so the difference was more about shot quality, late possessions, and converting at the foul line.

For the Knicks, the missed opportunity was clear. After scoring 32, 29, and 30 points in the first three quarters, they managed only 15 in the fourth. In a playoff setting, that kind of drop can decide a game quickly, especially against a veteran scorer like McCollum, who delivered throughout the comeback.

Closing Context

With the win, Atlanta evened the Eastern Conference first-round series at 1-1 and took home-court momentum away from New York. The Knicks, now 1-1 in the series after a 53-29 regular season, will look to recover before the matchup shifts to Atlanta for Game 3.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the New York Knicks vs Atlanta Hawks game on April 20, 2026?

Atlanta Hawks defeated New York Knicks 107-106 on April 20, 2026.

How many points did CJ McCollum score?

CJ McCollum scored 32 points on 49.4% shooting.

What are Atlanta Hawks’s standings after this game?

After the win, Atlanta Hawks sits 46-36 in the Eastern Conference.

Who was the best player in the game?

CJ McCollum was the standout performer with 32 points and 6 assists.