Hawks’ Comeback Overshadowed by NBC Graphic Gaffe in Game 2 Win Over Knicks
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New York — A late-game graphic mistake on NBC’s national telecast briefly showed the New York Knicks with a timeout they did not possess, adding to the chaos of the Atlanta Hawks’ 107-106 victory in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden on April 21, 2026.
Atlanta erased a 14-point deficit to even the first-round series, but the final seconds were marred by confusion. With the Knicks pushing the ball upcourt after a missed shot by Atlanta’s CJ, the on-screen scorebug momentarily credited New York with one remaining timeout. Play-by-play announcer Noah Eagle suggested a timeout was imminent, yet head coach Mike Brown never signaled for one—because none were available.
The discrepancy was captured and circulated on social media by analyst Rob Perez, redirecting criticism from Brown to the broadcast crew. Viewers and commentators questioned how the error found its way to air.
During halftime of the Timberwolves–Nuggets game, studio host Maria Taylor clarified that a data issue fed incorrect information to the graphic system, resulting in the false timeout count. “The scoreboard showed a timeout that the Knicks did not have,” Taylor told the audience, attributing the problem to a technical feed.
Studio analyst Carmelo Anthony acknowledged he had also been misled by the on-screen indicator. The scorebug hiccup followed earlier production snags, including a delayed hookup to the night’s late contest.
Despite the broadcast misstep, the night ultimately belonged to the Hawks, who secured a narrow road win to knot the series at 1-1.
Source: Hoops Wire
