CJ McCollum Delivers Late Clutch Jumper To Give Hawks 2-1 Lead Over Knicks

NBA playoff series action tilted further on 24 April as Atlanta, Minnesota and Toronto each claimed Game 3 wins at home. The Hawks, Timberwolves and Raptors all moved within one game of levelling or controlling their first-round ties, while the Knicks, Nuggets and Cavaliers left with serious questions about execution and depth.

CJ McCollum again punished the New York Knicks late, while Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert led a defensive show for Minnesota against Denver. In Toronto, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett powered a high-scoring surge that ended a long run of playoff defeats to Cleveland and reshaped the momentum of that matchup.

The Hawks grabbed a 2-1 series lead after a 109-108 victory that silenced a strong Knicks following in Atlanta. McCollum delivered the decisive basket, a fadeaway jumper from around 15 feet with 12.5 seconds left, turning a one-point deficit into a win and completing a 23-point performance.

Atlanta controlled most of the contest, building an 18-point cushion during the first half, before New York rallied. OG Anunoby paced the Knicks with 29 points, while Jalen Brunson scored 26 and Karl-Anthony Towns added 21, but the late execution problems proved costly in another narrow defeat.

The Knicks actually moved ahead 108-105 on Brunson’s three-point play with 1:03 remaining. Atlanta answered quickly when Jalen Johnson, who led the Hawks with 24 points, rolled in a crucial shot. Josh Hart then missed a 3-pointer, New York recovered the rebound, yet failed to release an attempt before the 24-second buzzer.

Jonathan Kuminga had a major impact from the Hawks bench, producing 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting and making the final defensive play. Brunson tried to create a last shot, but Kuminga stripped the ball as time expired. Game 4 of the NBA playoff series takes place on Saturday in Atlanta.

Minnesota’s 113-96 home win over Denver gave the Timberwolves a 2-1 edge in their first-round NBA playoff series and underlined their defensive identity. The hosts held the Nuggets to only 11 first-quarter points, a new franchise record for fewest points allowed in any postseason quarter.

McDaniels produced 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Ayo Dosunmu changed the game from the bench. Dosunmu finished with 25 points and nine assists in a lively display, and Donte DiVincenzo added 15 points along with four steals as Minnesota turned defence into transition chances throughout Game 3.

Gobert again disrupted Nikola Jokic after an impressive Game 2 showing, limiting the three-time MVP to 7-for-26 shooting from the field. Jokic ended with 27 points and 15 rebounds but did most of the scoring after the result looked secure. Jamal Murray struggled, managing 16 points on 5-for-17 shooting for Denver.

The Nuggets missed starting forward Aaron Gordon because of a calf injury, removing an important source of energy and physicality. Without Gordon’s usual support, Denver’s offence lacked movement and strength in the paint. Minnesota capitalised, extending the gap steadily before closing out a comfortable home win in the NBA playoffs meeting.

Raptors snap skid against Cavaliers in NBA playoffs series

Toronto stayed alive in its Eastern Conference NBA playoff series by beating Cleveland 126-104 and trimming the Cavaliers’ lead to 2-1. The Raptors also halted a 12-game playoff losing streak to Cleveland, turning a tight contest into a rout thanks to an explosive final quarter at Scotiabank Arena.

Barnes and Barrett both set career playoff highs with 33 points, while Barnes also supplied 11 assists. Collin Murray-Boyles scored 22 points, becoming the first Raptors rookie to post at least 20 in a playoff game. Brandon Ingram contributed 12 points as Toronto received scoring across the rotation.

Jamison Battle provided the late spark, scoring all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter. Leading only 83-81 after three periods, the Raptors went 8-for-9 from beyond the arc in the final frame and outscored Cleveland 43-23. Battle hit 4-of-4 from 3-point range during that decisive stretch.

Cleveland had matched the NBA postseason record for most straight wins against one team with the Game 2 success on Monday. That sequence ended in Toronto, despite balanced scoring from James Harden with 18 points and 15 each from Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Max Strus. Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Toronto.