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The Atlanta Hawks came within half a second of tying their game against the New York Knicks and forcing overtime on Monday night.
The Hawks were putting the ball under the basket on the other side of the court. The ball found its way to CJ McCollum, who took two dribbles and launched a prayer near midcourt. The ball deflected off the backboard toward the basket when the buzzer rang.
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Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum attempts a half-court shot that would have tied the game, but ended after time expired against the New York Knicks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 6, 2026. (Dale Zanine/Image Images)
The fans at State Farm Arena went crazy when it looked like McCollum tied the game. However, the referees reviewed the play and determined that the veteran guard slipped the ball out of his hands too late.
New York won the game, 108-105.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown explained why he didn’t order the team to foul late rather than risk a potential tie scenario.
“It’s tough. If he misses, it’s obviously a long shot. But if you foul him on the rebound or foul him when he turns to shoot it, now they’re going to get three free throws,” he said via the New York Post. “It’s something we’ve talked about before, it’s still a volatile situation…The whole thing was, worst case scenario, they’re going to tie the game and we’re going to go to overtime. Lesson learned on a couple of possessions down the stretch.”
Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who made two free throws to give the team a three-point lead with one second left, led the team with 30 points and 13 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.
New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown reacts during the second half of an NBA game against the Atlanta Hawks in Atlanta on April 6, 2026. (Colin Hubbard/AP)
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It was Atlanta’s first home loss since early February, ending the team’s 13-game home winning streak.
Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 36 points in the loss. Jalen Johnson added 21 points and 11 rebounds, recording his 48th double-double of the season.
New York and Atlanta could meet in the postseason as they compete for seeding before the playoffs. The Knicks are 51-28 and are currently third in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks fell to 45-34 and are currently fifth in the East.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns reacts during the first half of an NBA game against the Atlanta Hawks in Atlanta on April 6, 2026. (Colin Hubbard/AP)
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Atlanta is just 1.5 games ahead of the Toronto Raptors for their spot.
