Boston – Tom Thibodeau summed it up quite well. No further explanation was really necessary.
Jalen Brunson struggled significantly, scoring only eight points and hitting just 3 of 13 shots after three quarters. It appeared he was headed for one of his worst playoff performances.
The Knicks’ leader, seemingly adrift, wasn’t exactly showing his usual prowess.
Yet, when it truly mattered, the NBA Clutch Player of the Year stepped up.
His pull-up jumper put the Knicks ahead for the first time with just 1:58 left on the clock. Following that, a layup with his less dominant right hand extended their lead to three points with 56.5 seconds remaining.
Brunson didn’t back down after the Celtics reclaimed the lead with a dunk from Jason Tatum. Instead, he quickly drew a foul and sunk both free throws, giving the Knicks a narrow 91-90 advantage with only 12.7 seconds on the clock.
Mikal Bridges’ steal ultimately secured a 91-90 win for the Knicks over the Celtics at TD Garden on Wednesday night.
“It’s Jalen,” Thibodeau remarked. “Regardless of what’s happening in the game, he shines when we need him most.”
Brunson ended the night with 17 points, shooting 19-6 from the floor, accompanying that with seven assists.
In the fourth quarter alone, he scored nine points, following 11 points in Game 1’s final period.
This playoff season, he has tallied 86 points in the fourth quarter, leading by a notable margin over the next closest competitor, Anthony Edwards.
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Brunson commented, “I need to maintain focus on that aspect. You can’t dwell on what has happened in the game prior. Winning is about focusing and maintaining a clear mindset. That’s how I approach it. Teamwork is essential.”
