The Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off remarkable comebacks on Monday night to even their respective first-round playoff series, while the Cleveland Cavaliers extended their lead over the Toronto Raptors to 2-0 in a dominant performance.
In Novel York, the Hawks erased a late deficit to steal Game 2 at Madison Square Garden, defeating the Knicks 107-106 behind a explosive fourth quarter. Trailing by as many as eight points in the final period, Atlanta outscored New York 28-15 in the fourth to seize the lead and hold on for the victory. CJ McCollum led all scorers with 32 points, providing the superstar energy needed to lift the Hawks in a hostile environment.
The road win knotted the Hawks-Knicks series at 1-1, setting up a pivotal Game 3 back in Atlanta on Thursday. Both teams will look to gain home-court advantage as the series shifts south.
Out west, the Timberwolves completed their own stunning rally in Denver, overcoming a 19-point deficit to defeat the Nuggets 119-114 and tie their Western Conference first-round series at 1-1. Minnesota’s comeback was fueled by balanced scoring and timely defensive stops in the second half, allowing them to erase what appeared to be a commanding Nuggets lead.
Anthony Edwards delivered the superstar performance the Timberwolves needed, though his exact point total was not specified in the verified reports. Nikola Jokić finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists for Denver, while James Harden contributed 28 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals in a losing effort for Minnesota.
The Timberwolves’ victory in Denver was particularly significant as it came on the road against a Nuggets team that had held home-court advantage throughout the regular season. Stealing Game 2 shifts the momentum entirely, with Minnesota now looking to defend its home floor in Game 3.
Meanwhile, in Cleveland, the Cavaliers continued their dominant start to the postseason, defeating the Raptors 115-105 to take a 2-0 series lead. Donovan Mitchell paced Cleveland with 30 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, showcasing why he remains one of the league’s most reliable playoff performers.
Toronto struggled to contain Mitchell’s scoring burst and failed to generate enough offensive firepower to keep pace, falling behind early and never recovering. The loss puts the Raptors in a precarious position, facing elimination if they fail to win at least one of the next two games in Toronto.
Cleveland’s 2-0 lead gives them a significant advantage as the series shifts to Toronto for Games 3, and 4. The Cavaliers have now won their first two playoff games by a combined margin of 20 points, demonstrating early postseason dominance.
Across all three series that concluded play on April 21, 2026, the road teams went 2-1, with only the defending champion Nuggets failing to protect their home court. The results set up compelling Game 3 matchups scheduled for Thursday, April 23:
• New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks – 7:00 p.m. ET
• Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors – 8:00 p.m. ET
• Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves – 9:30 p.m. ET
All three games will be nationally televised, with the Western Conference clash airing last on Prime Video as part of a triple-header.
The Hawks and Timberwolves will look to build on their road momentum and steal home-court advantage, while the Cavaliers aim to close out the series quickly on the road. For the Knicks, Nuggets and Raptors, Thursday’s games represent must-win situations to avoid falling into 2-0 holes.
As the first round progresses, the resilience shown by Atlanta and Minnesota highlights the competitive balance in this year’s playoffs, where no lead feels safe and every game carries immense weight. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, have announced their arrival as a legitimate contender with a poised, professional start to their title defense.
Fans can follow live updates and analysis throughout the postseason on Archysport.com, where we provide comprehensive coverage of every game, series and storyline.
Stay tuned for Game 3 action Thursday night, as the battle for second-round berths intensifies across both conferences.
