Onyeka Okongwu and the Hawks stormed back to defeat the Knicks on the road to even their 2026 NBA Playoffs series at 1-1.
Enjoy the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights from Monday night’s action.
Donovan Mitchell (30 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast) starred as the Cavaliers took Game 2 over the Raptors 115-105 to open the night, earning a 2-0 series lead.
The Hawks rallied late behind CJ McCollum (32 pts), winning the fourth quarter 28-15 to defeat the Knicks on the road and even the series at 1-1.
Now, we have Anthony Edwards’ Timberwolves facing Nikola Jokić’s Nuggets (10:30 ET) on NBC and Peacock.
What we know about Monday’s games:
- The Nuggets and Timberwolves are tied 9-9 in NBA Playoffs action since 2023, as they vie for supremacy in the Western Conference.
- A team with a 2-0 lead in the NBA Playoffs goes on to win the series 92.7% of the time.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 11:03 ET
Wolves look for spark against Nuggets
Denver’s used a 13-0 run to take a 20-11 lead with 5:04 to go in the first quarter on NBC and Peacock, holding Minnesota to 28% shooting so far.
Anthony Edwards (3 pts), who was questionable with right knee inflammation, is limping some after colliding with Nikola Jokić (3 reb, 4 ast) in the back court, but staying in the game.
Search for inspiration, Chris Finch just put in Bones Hyland, looking for some creativity off the bounce.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 10:46 ET
Hawks defeat Knicks to even series 1-1
In a dramatic finish, Mikal Bridges’ game-winning jumper was just short, as the Hawks stormed back in the fourth quarter to defeat the Knicks.
CJ McCollum (32 pts) inspired the Hawks with his play, drawing the ire of the Madison Square Garden crowd in the win.
“I’m just here to compete, and here to compete at the highest level,” said McCollum afterwards. “We’re a tough group. We’re young, but we’re learning by the day.”
Jalen Brunson (29 pts) led six Knicks in double figures.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 10:44 ET
Big shot Brunson
Jalen Brunson’s 3-point rolled around every part of the rim, but fell through to cut the Hawks’ lead to 107-106.
Atlanta ball with 7.1 seconds remaining.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 10:41 ET
A frenetic Hawks comeback
It’s 107-103 Atlanta, stunning the New York crowd.
CJ McCollum has seven points for Atlanta in the last two minutes, while the Knicks have only mustered a single Jalen Brunson 3-pointer in the last 5:16.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 10:33 ET
Hawks get it to one
100-99 New York with 3:26 to go in the fourth quarter. The Hawks have controlled the period 20-9 to get it to this point.
Catch the finish on NBC and Peacock!
APRIL 20, 2026 / 10:28 ET
Knicks holding off Hawks
The Hawks had it to four, but the Knicks scored two straight buckets to make it 100-92 with 5:25 to go in the fourth quarter.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 10:17 ET
KAT in the Big Apple
Towns is up to 18 points and 8 rebounds, facing a smaller Hawks front line. This is where they miss Kristaps Porziņģis.
KAT IN Q3:
14 PTS (6-7 FGM)
6 REB
2 3PM
Knicks lead heading into Q4 in Game 2! pic.twitter.com/xWsdPxeTTB
— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2026
APRIL 20, 2026 / 10:04 ET
Emotions high in New York
89-77 New York with 2:03 to go in the third quarter after former Pelicans teammates Jose Alvarado and CJ McCollum drew offsetting technicals, continuing what has been a feisty game.
“(Hawks) need some fight, need some life,” said Jamal Crawford. “This is where vets matter.”
Alvarado picked up McCollum on the next possession, dogging him full-court as the crowd roared its approval.
FULL-COURT DEFENSE FROM ALVARADO 👏
THE MSG CROWD IS FIRED UP 🔥
Knicks up 8 in Q4 in Game 2! pic.twitter.com/a5DpniUaL4
— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2026
McCollum waved to Ben Stiller and Spike Lee, sitting front row in the Garden, afterwards.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 9:58 ET
Postgame Pressers: Raptors-Cavaliers
LIVE: Raptors/Cavs Game 2 Postgame Presser https://t.co/i8gRdrdnuf
— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2026
APRIL 20, 2026 / 9:47 ET
Knicks take biggest lead of game
77-64 over Atlanta, with six New York players in double figures.
The Knicks are up to a dominant 43-19 advantage on the glass, putting up 55 shots to Atlanta’s 47.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 9:35 ET
Cavaliers hold off Raptors’ challenge to take Game 2
Cleveland defeats Toronto 115-105, winning Game 2.
“The Cavaliers have been the best version of themselves in Games 1 and 2,” said Mark Followill. “Now, the series moves north.”
James Harden (28 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast), Donovan Mitchell (30 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast) and Evan Mobley (25 pts, 8 reb on 11-of-13 shooting) starred in front of the Rocket Arena crowd.
It was the fourth time in the Cavs’ Playoff history that they’ve had three players drop 25+ points.
“Continue to be mentally strong,” said Mitchell of the Cavaliers’ future plans.
Scottie Barnes (26 pts) and RJ Barrett (22 pts) led the way for the Raptors in defeat.
Game 3 is Thursday at 8 ET on Prime.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 9:30 ET
Knicks lead 61-54 at the half
After Atlanta came back to take its first lead, New York reasserted control to end the second quarter in the lead as they seek to defend Madison Square Garden.
Jalen Brunson (12 pts, 6 ast) leads four Knicks in double figures, while CJ McCollum (18 pts) has a game-high for Atlanta.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 9:20 ET
Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets host Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves as their 2026 NBA Playoffs series continues on NBC and Peacock.
Stats listed from Saturday’s Game 1, which the Nuggets won 116-105. Game 2 (9:30 ET) is coming to you on NBC and Peacock.
Minnesota:
- PG Donte DiVincenzo (12 pts, 4 3PM)
- SG Anthony Edwards (22 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast)
- SF Jaden McDaniels (16 pts, 8 reb)
- PF Julius Randle (16 pts, 7 reb)
- C Rudy Gobert (17 pts, 10 reb)
Denver:
- PG Jamal Murray (30 pts, 7 ast)
- SG Christian Braun (12 pts, 8 reb)
- SF Cameron Johnson (12 pts, 2 3PM)
- PF Aaron Gordon (17 pts, 8 reb)
- C Nikola Jokić (25 pts, 13 reb, 11 ast)
Keep an eye on Naz Reid off the Timberwolves’ bench in Game 2.
He had 5 points in Game 1 — well below his season average of 13.6 ppg. It was the second-lowest scoring total of his career against Denver.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 9:11 ET
Barrett on the boards
RJ Barrett (18 pts, 9 reb) just tied his season-high in rebounds as the Raptors shrink the lead to 92-86 with 6:46 to go in the fourth quarter.
Barrett’s single career-high for rebounds is 15, which he’s done twice.
Catch the finish on NBC Sports Network and Peacock!
APRIL 20, 2026 / 9:00 ET
Raptors, Hawks cut into leads
The Raptors have it to seven after three quarters in Cleveland, with the Cavs up 84-77, while the Hawks have slashed the Knicks lead to 40-36.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 8:45 ET
Knicks up 32-23 after one
New York held Atlanta to 37.5% shooting, knocking down 54.5% of their shots, and totaled a remarkable 20-4 advantage in the first quarter.
Josh Hart (6 pts, 6 reb) and Mitchell Robinson (6 pts, 4 reb in 4:32) have been the main culprits so far, crashing the boards as Quin Snyder tried Jalen Johnson as center, with Jonathan Kuminga as the power forward.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 8:35 ET
Brandon Ingram getting loose
Back-to-back buckets for the Raptors’ top scorer (4 pts), who has finally broken the seal here in the third quarter.
Ingram’s 2-of-9 in the contest so far, facing the size and length of Dean Wade and the Cavs’ front line.
Cavs are up 68-55 with 7:37 left in the third quarter.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 8:32 ET
The Hart of the Knicks
Josh Hart (6 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast) is off to a quick start for the Knickerbockers, who are up 20-13 with 4:09 to go in the first quarter.
Hart put up a double-double with 11 pts and 14 reb in Game 1. We’ll see if the Hawks can match his activity and strength in crashing the glass here in Game 2.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 8:13 ET
Cavaliers up 54-48 at the half
The Cavs have led wire-to-wire in the first half, with James Harden (16 pts) and Donovan Mitchell (15 pts) going off.
The Raptors have a 24-5 advantage in bench points and a 9-0 lead in fast break points, but they’ve turned the ball over 11 times to the Cavaliers’ seven.
RJ Barrett (10 pts, 6 reb) is the top man for Toronto so far.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 7:58 ET
Harden shakes loose
James Harden just made Scottie Barnes touch Earth and got a ridiculous bounce on his stepback 3-pointer, putting the Cavaliers up 50-40 with 3:20 to go in the second.
THE BALL WAS EVEN WITH THE SHOT CLOCK 🤯 https://t.co/D85H6oLZcm pic.twitter.com/28vPyMGdtE
— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2026
Harden has 16 pts on 6-of-8 shooting, including two 3-pointers made.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 7:49 ET
Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks in Game 2 of their 2026 NBA Playoffs series on NBC and Peacock.
Stats listed from Saturday’s Game 1, which the Knicks won 113-102. Game 2 (8 ET) is on NBC and Peacock.
Atlanta:
- PG CJ McCollum (26 pts, 4 3PM)
- SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker (17 pts, 4 ast)
- SF Dyson Daniels (9 reb, 11 ast)
- PF Jalen Johnson (26 pts, 7 reb)
- C Onyeka Okongwu (19 pts, 8 reb)
New York:
- PG Jalen Brunson (28 pts, 7 ast)
- SG Mikal Bridges (11 pts, 1 stl)
- SF OG Anunoby (18 pts, 8 reb)
- PF Josh Hart (11 pts, 14 reb, 5 ast)
- C Karl-Anthony Towns (25 pts, 8 ast)
Watch for Jonathan Kuminga off the Hawks’ bench — he had eight points on 3-of-7 shooting in Game 1, with the size to challenge the Knick wings.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 7:37 ET
Cavs up 26-19 after one
Donovan Mitchell (7 pts) leads all scorers so far.
For his career, he’s averaging 28.4 ppg in the NBA Playoffs, raising it by putting up 29.6 ppg in both 2023-24 and 2024-25.
SPIDA BEATS THE SHOT CLOCK!
One-legged fadeaway 😤
Cavs seek a 2-0 lead in Round 1 🍿 pic.twitter.com/MZU9mApaJZ
— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2026
APRIL 20, 2026 / 7:27 ET
Cavaliers’ vets exerting influence
The Cavs are big enough to bother the Raptors at basically every position — one of the main advantages of the James Harden-for-Darius Garland swap — and experienced in the Playoffs.
Harden, Mitchell and Allen are still the only Cavaliers to score, as Cleveland methodically works its way to a 19-12 lead with 4:02 to go in the first quarter.
Neither Brandon Ingram nor Scottie Barnes has scored so far for Toronto.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 7:17 ET
Cavs hot early
12-7 Cavaliers with 8:14 to go in the first quarter, as Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Jarrett Allen have put in four points apiece, going 6-for-8 from the field.
The Raptors had the fifth-best defensive rating in the NBA (112.1) during the regular season, but don’t have a ton of quick defenders to track Mitchell. RJ Barrett’s drawn the early assignment here.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 6:30 ET
Brandon Ingram and the Toronto Raptors are looking to even their 2026 NBA Playoffs series against the Cavaliers on Peacock.
Stats listed from Saturday’s Game 1, which the Cavaliers won 126-113. Game 2 (7 ET) is on NBC Sports Network and Peacock.
Toronto:
- PG Jamal Shead (17 pts, 5 3PM)
- SG Brandon Ingram (17 pts, 56 FG%)
- SF RJ Barrett (24 pts, 3 3PM)
- PF Scottie Barnes (21 pts, 7 ast)
- C Jakob Poetl (6 reb, 2 blk)
Cleveland:
- PG James Harden (22 pts, 10 ast)
- SG Donovan Mitchell (32 pts, 4 3PM)
- SF Dean Wade (5 pts, game-high +20)
- PF Evan Mobley (17 pts, 7 reb)
- C Jarrett Allen (10 pts, 7 reb)
Watch out for Max Strus off the Cavaliers bench.
The sharpshooter had 24 pts in 24 minutes in Game 1, including four 3-pointers and an 8-of-10 mark from the free throw line.
APRIL 20, 2026 / 6:15 ET
Tonight’s injury report
Immanuel Quickley and Thomas Bryant are out for the Cavaliers.
Jock Landale is out for the Hawks. Onyeka Okongwu is available. OG Anunoby is probable for the Knicks.
Anthony Edwards is questionable for the Timberwolves.
Peyton Watson is out for the Nuggets.
