There ain’t no stopping Jalen Brunson now, as he continues to guide the Knicks into what appears destined to be historic run into title rivalry. The guard is posting the very best stats ever displayed by a New York participant in a playoff state of affairs, as he simply produced his fourth-straight 40+ level recreation.
To high it off, the 27-year-old has been delivering in clutch moments, as he had one other dominant fourth quarter this Monday. 21 of his 43 factors got here within the ultimate stage, because the Knicks got here out with a 121-117 victory over the Pacers.
The famous person has now change into the primary athlete in league historical past to ever put up 4 consecutive 40-point, 5-assist postseason performances. “The little issues can go a good distance,” Brunson mentioned.
Jalen Brunson by means of 7 playoff video games:
🔥 BURNER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tr0ekXeZ9D
— x – KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) Might 7, 2024
“So yeah, the 40 factors are cool and all, nevertheless it’s the little issues that assist us win video games like that,” he added. “So I’m simply pleased I’ve the group of men that I do. I simply know that we’re going to combat each single day. That’s all I’m serious about.”
In his previous 5 matches, Jalen has scored or assisted on 321 factors, which is the second most over this span in playoff historical past. He solely trails Nuggets huge man Nikola Jokic’s 329 factors from their championship run within the final marketing campaign.
Brunson is averaging 12.4 factors per match within the fourth quarter over the previous 5 contests. The guard dropped in 6 of 10 photographs and was 8-of-8 from the road down the stretch, as he appeared invincible below strain.
“You may go on and on each night time, and the factor I really like about him is he’s all in regards to the staff,” mentioned his coachTom Thibodeau. “All he cares about is profitable, and he cares about his teammates, and I believe when that occurs, he’s, ultimately, what do we’d like? Do we’d like an enormous bucket? No matter it’s we’d like, he’ll present.”
The referees admitted to have missed an important name that affected the Pacers with lower than a minute to play
In the course of the recreation, there was a really controversial play wherein the officiating crew later admitted they’d missed the decision. “On the ground we felt that will be a kicked ball violation. Postgame overview did present that it hit the defender’s hand, which might be authorized,” mentioned crew chief Zach Zarba.
The play occurred with 12.7 seconds left and Indiana solely down a degree with the ball. Middle Myles Turner was known as for a transferring display on Donte DiVincenzo as he tried to free level his teammate Tyrese Haliburton.
The play was so shut that they determined to problem it, nevertheless it didn’t outcome of their favour. “We’re not anticipating to get calls in right here,” mentioned Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “It will be good in the event that they laid off that one, however they didn’t. In order that’s simply the best way it goes.”
Turner, however, gave credit score to his opponent for realizing the right way to promote the foul. Nevertheless, he determined to take the excessive highway and never blame the defeat on this single play. “Simply in my expertise on this league, I believe it’s greatest when gamers resolve the result of the sport,” he shared. “For essentially the most half you may’t depart the sport to be determined by the refs, so we now have to take accountability as properly.”
