NEW YORK (Interstat) — CJ McCollum scored 32 points, including the go-ahead basket with 33 seconds remaining, and the Atlanta Hawks staged a furious fourth-quarter rally to edge the New York Knicks 107-106 on Monday night, tying their first-round playoff series at one game apiece.

In a heart-stopping finish before a sellout crowd of 19,812 at Madison Square Garden, the Hawks erased a 12-point deficit entering the final period. McCollum’s clutch jumper gave Atlanta a 105-103 lead, but he then missed two free throws with 5.6 seconds left, giving the Knicks a final chance. Without a timeout, New York rushed the ball upcourt, but Mikal Bridges’ contested jumper from the right wing missed as time expired.

The victory snapped a two-game postseason losing streak for the Hawks against the Knicks, who had taken Game 1 on Saturday and entered as heavy favorites both in the series and on the betting lines. Atlanta, which finished the regular season 47-37, defied Interstat’s projection of a 117-110 Knicks win and their ELO system, which gave New York a 73.7% probability of victory.

The game turned dramatically in the fourth quarter. After being outplayed for much of the second and third periods, the Hawks clamped down defensively, holding the high-powered Knicks offense to just 15 points in the final 12 minutes. Atlanta’s 28-point fourth quarter was sparked by McCollum and a supporting cast that provided critical contributions.

McCollum, the veteran guard from Canton, Ohio, played 35 minutes and added six assists to his game-high scoring total. His backcourt mate, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, was instrumental with nine points, six assists and a game-high three blocks, including two crucial denials on Jalen Brunson in the final minute.

The Hawks’ frontcourt provided balance. Jalen Johnson scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Onyeka Okongwu added 15 points and eight boards. Jonathan Kuminga came off the bench to score 19 points, providing vital energy during the comeback.

For New York, which finished the regular season 55-31, the loss was a story of a late offensive collapse. After scoring 91 points through three quarters, the Knicks’ attack stalled. Brunson led the team with 29 points and seven assists, but was hampered by Atlanta’s late defensive adjustments. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 18 points and eight rebounds, and Josh Hart posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

The game began at a breakneck pace, with New York taking a 32-23 lead after the first quarter behind efficient offense. The Knicks extended their advantage to 61-54 by halftime, and a 30-point third quarter gave them a seemingly comfortable 91-79 margin heading into the final period.

The Hawks’ comeback was methodical. They chipped away at the lead throughout the fourth before McCollum’s driving layup with 2:09 to play gave Atlanta its first lead of the second half at 101-100. After a Brunson three-pointer tied the game at 103, McCollum answered with a 14-foot fadeaway to put the Hawks ahead for good.

The series now shifts to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4, with the next contest scheduled for Thursday night. The Hawks will look to carry the momentum from this resilient road victory, while the Knicks aim to reclaim home-court advantage after letting a critical win slip through their fingers in the final minutes.