Not much had gone well for the New York Knicks entering a do-or-die Game 5 at Madison Square Garden. On the brink of NBA playoff elimination, they were down 3-1 in their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Miami Heat, with a lot of their issues being self-inflicted.
New York has struggled mightily shooting the ball throughout the series and has gotten crushed on the glass. What was perceived to be their biggest advantage, after bullying the Cleveland Cavaliers in Round 1, has turned into a nightmare.
To keep their playoff hopes alive, the Knicks needed someone to step up. The person to answer the call was Jalen Brunson, who put together a performance that will live on in Knicks playoff history.
Brunson willed the Knicks to a 112-103 victory, helping the team overcome an early double-digit point deficit. He scored 38 points on 12-of-22 from the field, 4-of-10 from 3-point range and 10-of-12 at the foul line. Brunson added nine rebounds and seven assists, a performance only Hall of Famer Walt Frazier has accomplished in a Knicks uniform during the postseason.
“Just tried to do everything I could to win,” Brunson said matter-of-factly. “We did that. Now it’s onto Game 6.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks & Miami Heat Updates
Brunson’s performance was highlighted by the fact that he never came out of the game. Both he and Quentin Grimes went the distance, logging 48 minutes apiece as head coach Tom Thibodeau shortened his rotation to eight players. With Josh Hart in foul trouble, it essentially turned into a seven-man rotation.
“What can you say about the guy?” Thibodeau said. “He’s just incredible, all-around player. Great leader, great toughness. Mental toughness, physical toughness, ability to think on his feet, ability to lead, ability to connect with people, bring the best out of people. That’s what makes him special. And it’s play after play.”
Even their opponents were impressed with what Brunson was able to accomplish. “That man has played 45 mins and 48 mins the last couple games,” Heat point guard Kyle Lowry said. “You got to give him credit for just being aggressive and continuing to attack.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks & Miami Heat Updates
While Brunson is receiving all of the headlines, and rightfully so, he got some much-needed help from the other go-to Knicks, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. Barrett has been excellent since changing his shooting form midway through the series against the Cavaliers.
He has scored at least 19 points in seven out of the last eight games, including Wednesday when he poured in 26 to go along with seven rebounds and two assists. Randle had a nice bounceback as well after drawing a lot of criticism following Game 4.
While there were still some lapses from Randle, his overall level of effort and performance was higher. He made some tough jump shots en route to a 24-point performance, grabbing five rebounds with five assists as well. Randle was also complimentary of Brunson’s performance.
“That’s JB,” Randle said. “That’s what he’s been doing all year. Ultimately, at the core of who he is, he’s a competitor and he wants to win. So he left it all out there tonight. He carried us in a big way.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks & Miami Heat Updates
The series will now shift back to South Beach for Game 6 where all of the pressure will be on Miami. If Brunson can replicate that performance and the Knicks clean up a few areas, such as their turnovers, they have a great shot at forcing a Game 7 over the weekend back at Madison Square Garden.
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