Jalen Brunson won two national championships with Villanova, so he knows how a star should shine during March Madness.
A lot of the Knicks will depend on the return of Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, but until they’re back, they’ll steady the ship and get the Knicks through the crazy March seas that have made the fan base seasick of late. will be in Brunson’s hands. .
Every game starts with Friday night’s 98-74 loss to the Magic, 37-26, for the Knicks, who find themselves in a hopeless five-team lineup with the Magic, Heat, Pacers and Sixers in the East. is important. Meeting to avoid the dreaded play-in tournament.
March Madness: Next up are two important home games against the Sixers on Sunday night and Tuesday night.
“We know this is the time for everything to kick into high gear, so we’ve got to keep fighting until we get everyone back,” Tom Thibodeau said.
The New York basketball heavyweight champion came out smoking despite being questionable before warming up with a bruised left knee.
“It was 7 o’clock when I realized I was playing,” Brunson said.
Brunson was asked what he was thinking when he crouched on the floor in Cleveland last Sunday.
“I thought of a thousand different scenarios of what could have happened, and I’m so glad it didn’t,” Branson said.
Brunson scored 17 of his 26 points (11 of 19 from the field) in a decisive first half, and the Knicks played Dee Fense like there was no tomorrow, making a statement after three losses to the Magic. Even though I was out there, I was never threatened. 4th.
“We knew they had our phone number,” Branson said.
Brunson is the man currently carrying the hopes and dreams of a championship-hungry city. He’s an all-star who serenades The Garden with chants of “MVP, MVP, MVP.”
He is the one who makes everyone better. He was the one who conceded the winning time in the fourth quarter.
In the meantime, no one will feel sorry for the Knicks. He doesn’t cry about basketball. No one is going to postpone the game until Randle and Anunoby come back.
“We have more than enough,” Thibodeau continues.
Whether he believes it or not, that’s what he has to say.
Branson makes it easy to believe. His instincts and court vision are elite and he doesn’t seem to get rusty after missing one game. He almost always makes the right play.
This was one night where the Knicks really had more than enough.
“Every win is a big win, no matter who wins,” Brunson said. “Obviously we are level with them in the standings, but we have to step up every game with the same mentality and mindset, regardless of who we play.”
First half: Tenacious defense (8 blocks), 9-of-16 3-pointers, and relentless offense from Josh Hart (19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) and Precious Achiuwa (15 points, 14 rebounds).
And of course, Jalen Brunson.
Brunson scored 10 of the Knicks’ first 21 points in the first 6 minutes, 30 seconds. After an eight-minute break, Brunson made a fast-break charge on Paolo Banchero, hitting a floater and then a three that fell backwards. Please excuse the air balls from downtown.
“It’s a UFO for Branson,” Clyde Frazier said. Brunson stripped Banchero and the Knicks ended the half with 55 and Magic with 39.
There was a scene in the third quarter that was emblematic of the night. Achwa missed Chippy, grabbed the rebound, missed the follow, grabbed the rebound, and sent a pass that fell just wide of the bottom of the basket to Donte DiVincenzo, whose 3 made it 74-52. A corner 3 by Deuce McBride and an and-one foul by Banchero made it 78-52.
The “MVP” chants erupted late in the fourth quarter, just after Brunson made a corner 3, but Brunson missed the 3 and Hart homered it with a right hand, celebrating with the Garden. .
“I’m glad he’s finally able to show his athletic ability for once,” Brunson said with old-fashioned sarcasm.
March Madness at the Garden. Jalen Brunson’s favorite things and favorite places.
