CJ McCollum trying not to embrace new role as Knicks’ playoff villain

Five years after the Atlanta Hawks took care of the New York Knicks in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the two franchises are once again locked into a competitive series.

CJ McCollum, doing his best Trae Young impression, put the Hawks on his back Monday night, leading his team in scoring with 32 points on 12 of 22 shooting from the field. He was consistently knocking down must-have shots down the stretch of Game 2.

The Madison Square Garden faithful let McCollum have it during the game. Expletive chants rained down on the veteran throughout the third quarter of Game 2. But it was McCollum who ended up having the last laugh, and he seems to be embracing his new role.

CJ McCollum responds to hatred from Knicks fans

After Game 2, McCollum was asked about the expletives from the Garden faithful, and he did his best to downplay the narrative of becoming the new villain in New York.

"I ain't no villain, I'm a nice guy with two kids and a wife. I think it's admiration. Great, passionate fans. Really hostile environment. It's fun, it's basketball, it's the playoffs. I love it. It's why we play the game," McCollum said via Clutch Points' Kris Pursiainen.

Clearly, McCollum isn't interested in playing the role of villain for Knicks fans, but it may not be up to him.

If he keeps playing as he did in Game 2 throughout the series, he'll etch his name in the recent history books with the likes of Trae Young and Tyrese Haliburton.

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