Atlanta Hawks Aim to Steal Series Lead in Game 3 vs Knicks

The Atlanta Hawks secured a 109-108 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 3 of their NBA Playoffs series on April 23, 2026, taking a 2-1 series lead at State Farm Arena.

CJ McCollum delivered a clutch performance, hitting the go-ahead jumper with less than 20 seconds remaining after the Knicks had briefly taken a 108-107 lead. The Hawks had led 56-38 with 3:29 left in the first half and maintained control through much of the game before New York’s late surge.

Jalen Johnson led all scorers with 24 points, shooting 8-of-19 from the field and adding 10 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and a block. His performance made him the first player in Hawks history to record those specific numbers in an NBA Playoffs game.

Jonathan Kuminga, coming off the Hawks bench, scored 21 points in 28 minutes on 64% shooting from the field and 50% from three-point range, while also contributing four rebounds, a steal, and a block. His 10-point first quarter marked the most ever scored by a Hawks bench player in the NBA Playoffs since the play-by-play era began in 1997-1998.

Kuminga’s defensive effort was critical on the final play, where he helped force a turnover that prevented the Knicks from getting a shot off. His performance has made it highly likely that Atlanta will exercise the $24.3 million option on his contract for the following season if no extension is agreed upon.

The Hawks now hold a commanding position in the series, with Game 4 scheduled to return to Atlanta before the series shifts to New York for Games 5 and beyond. Their ability to combine historic individual performances with team resilience has positioned them favorably against a Knicks team led by Jalen Brunson.