Hawks' Half-Court Buzzer-Beater Falls Short in Loss to Knicks

CJ McCollum's last-second shot ruled no good as New York holds off Atlanta

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:04am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in vibrant colors, breaking down the final moments of a basketball game into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conveying the intensity and drama of the game-winning shot attempt.The final seconds of a thrilling battle between the Hawks and Knicks, captured in a cubist-inspired illustration that reflects the high-stakes drama of the game-winning shot attempt.NYC Today

The New York Knicks held off a late surge from the Atlanta Hawks, winning 108-105 on Monday night. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 30 points and 13 assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 36 points for the Hawks, but CJ McCollum's half-court buzzer-beater at the end was ruled no good after a review.

Why it matters

This was the Hawks' first home loss since early February, ending their 13-game home win streak. The game featured a tight back-and-forth battle between two Eastern Conference playoff contenders, with the Knicks solidifying their position as one of the top teams in the East.

The details

The Knicks went on a 17-6 run in the final six minutes of the third quarter to take an 81-79 lead heading into the fourth. Fourteen of New York's 28 third-quarter points belonged to Towns. Brunson then made two free throws with 1.2 seconds left to give the Knicks a three-point lead. McCollum's half-court heave at the buzzer was ruled no good after a review showed the ball was still in his hands as time expired.

  • The game was played on Monday, April 7, 2026.
  • The Hawks' 13-game home win streak was snapped with this loss.

The players

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' starting point guard, who led the team with 30 points and 13 assists.

Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks' star center, who had 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

The Hawks' leading scorer, with 36 points, 20 of which came in the first half.

CJ McCollum

The Hawks' veteran guard, who hit a half-court shot at the buzzer that was ruled no good after review.

Jalen Johnson

The Hawks' power forward, who recorded his 48th double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds.

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What’s next

The Hawks will visit the Cavaliers on Wednesday night, while the Knicks will host the Celtics on Thursday night.

The takeaway

This game showcased the competitive nature of the Eastern Conference playoff race, with the Knicks and Hawks battling for position. The late-game heroics from Brunson and the controversial ending with McCollum's buzzer-beater will surely be a topic of discussion in the days ahead.