Knicks' Jalen Brunson in epic 1-man NBA Playoffs club after 43-point night vs Pacers
07/05/2024 07:02
On Monday, Jalen Brunson continued his scoring brilliance. Finishing with 43 points, the New York Knicks guard led his team to a 121-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 1. Brunson’s big night just cemented him as the first player in NBA history to have at least 40 points and a made three-pointer in four straight playoff games. (per OptaStats)
Jalen Brunson of the @nyknicks is the first player in NBA history to have at least 40 points and a made three in four straight playoff games. pic.twitter.com/sll9BpR8pI
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) May 7, 2024
Prior to Monday, the hot-shooting guard had 40-point games during the team’s last three outings against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. With another to his name, Brunson also became the first player with four straight 40-point playoff games since Michael Jordan. (per Statmuse)
Brunson last 4 playoff games:
43 PTS | 6 AST
41 PTS | 12 AST
40 PTS | 6 AST
47 PTS | 10 ASTThe first player with four straight 40-point playoff games since Michael Jordan. pic.twitter.com/vMyKMXcbPk
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 7, 2024
This season was arguably Jalen Brunson’s best so far. Being named an All-Star for the first time, the 6-foot-2 guard led the Knicks to a number-two seed finish during the regular season. During the team’s 82-game campaign, Brunson averaged 28.7 points and 6.7 assists per game. When forward Julius Randle went down late in January, many thought New York would struggle. However, the team would continue performing like a contender, with Brunson fully leading the charge.
The lefty can be described as crafty. What Brunson lacks in size, he makes up for in his shot creation. His footwork is the main reason for his plethora of moves. Brunson has an elite ability to execute various shots using pivots and shot fakes. In addition, the guard is automatic from mid range. Give Brunson a little space and he’ll pull up from the perimeter without hesitation.
In these playoffs, the 27-year-old has shifted to a higher gear. Brunson averaged 35.5 points and 9.0 assists a game during the Knicks’ first-round series. And on Monday, he continued where he left off.
The Knicks prevail over the Pacers in Game 1
The series opener was a close one, with neither team leading by more than 10 points all throughout. It all boiled down to the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.
Courtesy of a Paskal Siakam layup, the game was tied at 113 all with a little over two minutes remaining. Andrew Nembhard followed that up with another layup to give Indiana a two-point advantage. Jalen Brunson would then respond with his patented mid-range shot to even out the score once again.
With 40 seconds remaining, Donte DiVincenzo broke the tie by drilling a crucial three-pointer. However, Siakam would attack the basket once again to cut the point differential to one.
Following a Knicks turnover, Indiana had possession of the ball, down by a point with 18 seconds remaining. An offensive foul was then called on Pacers big man Myles Turner, swinging the possession back to New York.
Free throws eventually sealed the deal for the Knicks.
Brunson scored 21 of his 43 points in the fourth quarter, while Josh Hart, who played all 48 minutes, finished with a double-double of 24 points and 13 rebounds.
Game 2 tips off on Wednesday, at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.
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