CJ McCollum does not want any smoke from New York Knicks fans branding him as the city’s latest villain. The man just wants to ball.
The Atlanta Hawks guard has at times looked like the best player on the floor two games into his team’s first-round series against the Knicks. McCollum has led the series in scoring with his 29-point average and has gone toe-to-toe with Jalen Brunson during crunch time situations.
McCollum, however, does not want to become New York’s next public enemy No. 1 ala Trae Young.
“I am no villain, I’m a nice guy with two kids and a wife,” McCollum said after hearing jeers from the crowd during Monday’s Game 2.
“I think it’s admiration. Great, passionate fans. Really hostile environment. It’s fun. It’s basketball. It’s the playoffs.”
"I am no villain, I'm a nice guy with two kids and a wife." 😂
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 21, 2026
CJ McCollum after beating the Knicks in Game 2 😅 pic.twitter.com/zHYV6F4bqy
McCollum drew the ire of the Knicks fan base when he accused Brunson of embellishing some below-the-belt contact in Game 1. While Brunson himself shrugged off the incident, New Yorkers weren’t as forgiving throughout Atlanta’s 107-106 victory in Game 2.
McCollum looked every bit the part of a Gotham City villain on Monday up until the final few seconds. The 13-year veteran poured in a game-high 32 points on 12/22 shooting, but missed a pair of free throws that gave the Knicks a chance to win the contest.
Some Knicks fans may view Mikal Bridges as Game 2’s ultimate villain after he clanked the potential game-winner following McCollum’s missed free throws.
