Brunson Makes NBA Playoff History
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
After a grueling 6 game series against the Philadelphia 76ers in which they outscored Philly by only 1 point (670-669) the New York Knicks hosted the Indiana Pacers Monday night at Madison Sqaure Garden in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. The history between has been well documented. Reggie Miller, John Starks, Partick Ewing, Ric Smits and the infamous Spike Lee. They have faced each other 8 previous times in the playoffs starting in 1993. The winner of game one has gone on to win the series. The Knicks went down 9 points in the fourth quarter and it looked like that trend might continue for the 9th time. Then, Jalen Brunson and crew rallied coming away with a 121-117 victory.
Brunson finished with a game high 43 points as all 5 starters scored in double figures. College teammates Donte Divincenzo 25 and Josh Hart 24 points were big in the comeback win. Said head coach Tom Thibodeau of Donte’s game, “a great effort on the defensive end the whole night and then the big three.” Tibbs then went on to praise the three and how well they have played together. “l just think the way they work, they invested a lot into the season and they put a lot into each and every day. When you make that commitment to each other, you’re not going to give in. You’re going to keep fighting. We know we’re shorthanded. That’s our way. Our way is you have to play real hard.”
The Pacers Myles Turner led his team with 23 points and got big help from bench players TJ McConnell 18 points and ex-Knick Obi Toppin 12 points. Toppin electrified the Garden crowd with a steal finishing with a between the legs slam. Indiana’s bench outscored the Knicks 46-3. Brunson became the first player with 40 plus points and 5 assists in 4 straight playoff games. Said Brunson of his game, “ I’m not thinking l need to score 40. That’s not my mindset at all. My mindset is to be aggressive and to make plays for myself and for others.”
The Knicks look to take a 2-0 lead when they faced Indiana Wednesday night. The series then moves to the Pacers home court Friday and Sunday.
