CJ McCollum faced hostility from the MSG crowd after kicking Jalen Brunson during Game 1, but he silenced them in Game 2 by leading the Hawks to a stunning comeback victory with 32 points. Despite being viewed as a villain, McCollum regards himself as a “nice guy” and relishes the competitive atmosphere. Knicks players acknowledged his performance, with Mike Brown and Brunson emphasizing the need for better defense against him. McCollum’s dominant display overshadowed his earlier struggles against Brunson.
