Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum seemingly took over on Monday the role Trae Young has been known to play against the New York Knicks. McCollum scored six points in the last 2:08, leading the Hawks to a stunning 107-106 Game 2 win at Madison Square Garden.
The courtside reporter captured the mood in the postgame interview, confirming what many basketball fans felt during McCollum’s clutch performance: he called the combo guard a “New York City Villain.”
After the game, CJ McCollum responded when asked about his supposedly new nickname (via Michael Scotto):
“I am no villain. I’m a nice guy with two kids and a wife. I think it’s admiration. Great passionate fans in a really hostile environment. It’s fun. It’s basketball. It’s the playoffs. If anything, I think it’s a sign of respect.”
The attention Knicks fans gave to CJ McCollum ramped up in the third quarter when the Hawks star jawed with former New Orleans Pelicans teammate Jose Alvarado. After the referees gave double technical fouls to both, the pro-Knicks crowd began to relentlessly boo and whistle at McCollum.
McCollum responded in almost exactly the same way Trae Young did against the Knicks in the 2021 playoffs. Young talked trash against the Knicks and their fans while leading Atlanta to a 4-1 upset of New York.
Heading into this year’s playoffs, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani couldn’t resist poking fun at Trae Young about the pricey MSG tickets. Atlanta acquired CJ McCollum in a trade that sent Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. Young, now with the Wizards, responded by warning the Knicks about what could come in the playoffs.
McCollum doesn’t want to take over Young’s role, insisting that he’s a good guy. Following his Game 2 performance, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Knicks fans would give McCollum the Young treatment.
Knicks Nearly Won Despite CJ McCollum’s Dazzling Clutch Game
CJ McCollum hit a layup to give Atlanta a 101-100 advantage, the Hawks’ first lead in the series. McCollum extended the advantage with another layup, time down to 1:33.
Knicks captain Jalen Brunson responded to tie the game at 103 apiece. Back-to-back baskets from McCollum and Jalen Johnson gave Atlanta a bigger breathing room. Another Brunson 3-pointer pushed New York to within 107-106.
CJ McCollum had a chance to ice the game, but he missed two free throws, giving the Knicks a golden opportunity to win the game. Josh Hart grabbed the second miss, but teammate Mikal Bridges couldn’t make a potential game-winning attempt.
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