Big Shot From Brunson Lifts Knicks
Photo: Special to the NY Knicks
By Andrew Rosario
Bridges Late Put-Back Ties The Game
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
If there were any questions to the value that New York Knicks guard and captain Jalen Brunson has brought to the team, it was answered Thursday night in game 6 against the Detroit Pistons. After losing game 5 at Madison Square Garden in which head coach Tom Thibodeaux sat Brunson in the closing minutes, Brunson responded by coming up with one of the best playoff games in the team’s history. In the 116-113 win, Brunson played 42 minutes, scoring 40 points. With center Karl-Anthony Towns on the bench after fouling out, Brunson guided the team as the team took a 96-85 lead as they outscored Detroit 37-24 in the third quarter. As they have done in the previous 5 games, the Pistons would not go away quietly.
Detroit stormed back in the 4th quarter, outscoring the Knicks 18-7 tying the game at 103. The Pistons weren’t finished as they went up 112-107 with 2:23 left and thinking they would force a deciding game 7 at Madison Square Garden Saturday night. Then, Brunson would have none of that.
Down 112-108, Brunson would convert a free throw and hit a 2-point shot to bring them within 2 at 112-110. A Towns free-throw gets them within 1 and Pistons Jalen Duren extends the lead to 113-111 after converting his 2 free-throws. Knicks Mikal Bridges comes up big with an offensive put back tying the game at 113 with 35.1 left. Still plenty of time for Detroit to come away with the win. Unfortunately for them, Cade Cunningham, who has been a force all series, misses a driving lay-up giving the Knicks the ball back with 20.1 left.
Brunson is dogged by Pistons Ausar Thompson, shakes him off, steps back and drains the 3-pointer giving them the 116-113 lead. Still, Detroit has one more shot to tie the game. They would turn the ball over and never got a shot at the basket. All 5 Knicks starters would score in double figures. Bridges added 25 with OG Anunoby scoring 22.
Said Brunson of his game winning shot, “I stay poised and I rely on the trust and composure my teammates give me.” Thibedeau, who was heavily criticized after game 5 said of Brunson, “he’s at his best when his best is needed and he’s done it all year. That’s what makes him special.”
The New York Knicks face the Boston Celtics starting Monday night with games 1 and 2 on the road. They played 4 games during the regular season with Boston winning all 4 games. The last game at the MSG, New York played their best game only to lose in overtime.
The playoffs are a new season and the Knicks are hoping that Brunson and company can continue their magic.
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