We’ve all been there. If you’ve ever logged in at the gym or playground, there are days when you show up and can’t do anything. Wide open jumper. layup. drive. Sometimes it will fall off and spin out. Sometimes it’s even uglier than that. That’s where Jalen Brunson was at Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon.
Nothing falls. Nothing falls. Brunson was so good, so good, so consistent that it’s almost shocking to see basketball fail him like that. He took 24 shots against the Nets. He missed 17 of his.
A lot was already in the works for Saturday’s game against the Knicks. They returned home after a four-game swingout in the West, but the first game at home after such a road trip always tends to be sleepy. It was his one time hint and was always a recipe for adventure. The opponent was the Nets, who were bloody and on a five-game losing streak, but given the circumstances, they were the most dangerous opponent. He had nothing to lose.
And Brunson couldn’t buy the shot.
The Knicks won anyway. They won 105-93. They went on a 22-4 run to start the fourth quarter, frustrating the Nets and at one point missing 11 straight shots. Deuce McBride pitched a complete game in 48 innings, throwing 26 shots, including six threes. Donte DiVincenzo hit 31. The sold-out crowd of 19,812 had some awkward moments early, but was a delight at the end, as the Nets enjoyed playing for home money.
Because it was exactly what you wanted to see. The Knicks have an impressive 3-1 record, which would put them some distance from the play-in cut line if they arrived home a half-game behind the fourth-seeded Magic. Every game is important right now, especially against a strong team like the Nets.
“They are a hungry team and we know we have to play four quarters to beat them,” DiVincenzo said. “I’m glad I did it. And I’m glad we were able to get the win.”
That’s especially encouraging on Brunson’s rare day off. Branson is usually given. With him, the Knicks have proven they can beat anyone. When he’s off, so are the Knicks. This time they came for him. This time, there were several people who volunteered to carry the load. Good to see. In the new NBA after the All-Star Game, Brunson isn’t getting as many calls as he used to. Every team will try to steal him in the playoffs.
When that happens, the Knicks have to find a way to make them pay.
The Nets paid the bills on Saturday.
“We have to lock in,” DiVincenzo said. “You just have to look at the schedule to win the games you have to win.”
There are many such names at hand. The Nets have 26 wins and 45 losses. They will now play the Pistons (12-58) on Monday, the Raptors (23-47) on Wednesday, and the Spurs (15-55) on Friday. The Knicks have stepped into various holes, but are currently tied for the fourth seed. They are currently three games back and one game behind the Cavs, with the tiebreaker tied with them. They can still carve their own ideal path.
And it feels like all the players supporting Brunson are playing at a new level. First up is McBride, who has eased the pain of OG Anunoby’s elbow flare-up over the last three games.
“I feel great,” said McBride, who joined Hart this week as the Knicks advanced to the Round of 48. “We have a lot of fights, but we have a lot of guys that can get the job done on any given night.”
This is an essential mantra to get the most out of the remaining 10 games of the regular season, and even more so once the playoffs begin. There will come a night when someone other than Brunson will have to step up.
“We’ve got to find a way to win, and that’s what we did,” Knicks manager Tom Thibodeau said.
That’s what they’ve been doing all year. That’s what they’ll be counting on and how they redeem themselves for a breakout at the 3 seed and everything beyond that. I have to find a way.
