In his first playoff series with the Atlanta Hawks, CJ McCollum has turned in one spectacular scoring performance after another. Thursday night, McCollum hit a number of clutch shots to help the Hawks seize a 2-1 lead in their first-round matchup against the New York Knicks.
Impressed with McCollum’s production in Atlanta, fans posted enthusiastic reactions on social media. In the process, McCollum’s former running mate in Portland caught a stray.
“So Dame was holding CJ McCollum back at Portland.”
“Played like a beast!!!”
“cj mccollum said not today knicks… 23 and the dagger is nasty work”
“CJ McCollum stuffed the stat sheet and delivered the dagger. 23 points, 5 boards, 2 steals, 2 blocks, efficient from deep – then caps it with the game winner. Veteran closer doing veteran closer things.”
“Let that man cook!!!”
“The new Trae Young in New York”
When the Hawks acquired CJ McCollum back in January, the spotlight was on the Washington Wizards-bound Trae Young and the void that he’d be leaving behind in Atlanta. Now that the playoffs have come around, McCollum has proven his worth by coming up big on the scoring end.
In the first three games of the Knicks-Hawks series, McCollum is averaging 27.0 ppg on 50.8% FG shooting. He’s also chipping in 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game.
Under the bright spotlight of the postseason, the Hawks needed a veteran presence that could help them weather the storm. Though the Knicks threatened to regain homecourt advantage by mounting a comeback from a large deficit, McCollum steadied the ship in Atlanta and paved the way to victory.
Bill Simmons Calls CJ McCollum a “Making-the-Leap Guy” After Game 3 Heroics
One analyst who has expressed his appreciation for CJ McCollum’s heroics is Bill Simmons. On Thursday, the founder of The Ringer bestowed a unique title to McCollum.
“Every year in Round One there’s a random Making-the-Leap guy…and somehow this year it’s 34 year old CJ McCollum. I love the playoffs!!!!”
McCollum and his Hawks squad will have a chance this Saturday to grab a 3-1 lead and send the Knicks to the brink of elimination.
