C.J. McCollum praises Jonathan Kuminga’s ‘champion DNA’ after Hawks’ Game 3 win over Knicks

Atlanta Hawks guard C.J. McCollum heaped praise on forward Jonathan Kuminga following the team’s 109-108 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on April 24, 2026. McCollum specifically highlighted Kuminga’s championship pedigree, stating the young forward possesses “the DNA of a champion” due to his experience with the Golden State Warriors.

The Hawks secured a crucial 2-1 series lead with the narrow win at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Kuminga contributed 21 points off the bench in 28 minutes of play, marking his first significant playoff impact since being traded to Atlanta from the Warriors at the 2026 trade deadline. His performance included scoring, defensive versatility, and energy that shifted the game’s momentum in Atlanta’s favor.

Speaking after the game, McCollum emphasized Kuminga’s professionalism and winning mentality: “He’s been great. He’s a pro, he has the DNA of a champion coming from the Warriors. He knows how to play the right way. His athletic abilities are exceptional, he’s explosive, he has a mid-range shot, he can play with his back to the basket, he can set screens, he can find the right angles. And defensively, he can guard positions one through five.”

McCollum’s comments came during a post-game interview where he deflected personal praise to focus on his teammate’s contributions. The Hawks guard had his own standout performance, scoring 23 points including the game-winning jumper with seconds remaining, but chose to highlight Kuminga’s role in the team’s success.

Hawks head coach Quin Snyder echoed McCollum’s sentiments, noting Kuminga’s defensive impact: “Jonathan really gave it his all… Tonight, he did things that really gave our team a spark. I reckon what he mostly did was defend. He’s another guy who fights and who defends.” Snyder specifically mentioned Kuminga’s ability to defend multiple positions, including guarding New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns on certain sequences.

The trade that brought Kuminga to Atlanta occurred at the 2026 NBA trade deadline, where he was dealt from the Golden State Warriors in a package that included Kristaps Porzingis moving to San Antonio. Prior to the trade, Kuminga had experienced inconsistent playing time with the Warriors over his five-year tenure, often finding himself in and out of the rotation despite flashes of potential.

Since joining the Hawks, Kuminga has found a more consistent role and appears to be thriving in his new environment. McCollum acknowledged this transition, stating: “It wasn’t really a decent situation (with the Warriors), but he has now found a place where he can be fulfilled.” The guard added that the organization is committed to supporting Kuminga’s growth: “We’re not up 2-1 without him. We’re thankful to have him and we’ll make sure we take good care of him here in Atlanta.”

The victory place the Hawks in a favorable position in their best-of-seven series against the Knicks, with Atlanta now needing just one more win to advance to the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs. The teams are scheduled to meet again for Game 4 at State Farm Arena, with the potential to close out the series on home court.

As the Hawks continue their playoff push, the integration of newly acquired players like Kuminga has become a key storyline. His ability to contribute immediately on both ends of the floor has provided Atlanta with valuable depth and versatility during their postseason run.

For ongoing coverage of the Hawks-Knicks playoff series and other NBA postseason action, fans can follow official updates from the NBA and team sources.