CJ McCollum Kicks Knicks' Jalen Brunson in Groin, Hawks Guard Gets Technical Foul in NBA Playoffs G1

Atlanta Hawks guard C.J. McCollum received a technical foul after kicking New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson between the legs while taking a shot in the third quarter of Saturday's first-round Game 1.

No foul was initially called on the play, which officials upgraded to a Flagrant 1 foul after review.

The Knicks were leading 58-55 with 11:40 left in the third after Karl-Anthony Towns made a technical free throw following the play.

McCollum had been the Hawks' most effective player through the first half of Saturday's game.

He started out Game 1 with 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field and 3-for-4 shooting from deep to mark his highest-scoring opening half of a playoff game since 2020.

Brunson was playing with similar efficiency for the Knicks. After making all five of his first field goal attempts, he finished the first half with 22 points to help keep the home team in the lead.

The Hawks and Knicks are back in action for Game 2 at Madison Square Garden on Monday night at 8 p.m. ET.