Jalen Brunson nets 28 points; Knicks outlast Hawks in Game 1
NEW YORK — The street was paved for Jalen Brunson so as to add to his litany of exploits, maybe posting his tenth 40-point playoff sport on the fourth anniversary of his first such accomplishment.
But that chance ended throughout his tough second half, when he went 0-for-7 from the ground. He nonetheless did sufficient to assist the New York Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 of their first-round collection Saturday.
Brunson scored 22 of his game-high 28 factors in the primary half and hit his first six photographs in entrance of an brisk Madison Square Garden crowd.
Even although he struggled in the ultimate 24 minutes, the Knicks’ depth helped New York construct a 19-point lead in the second half.
“It was a hard-fought win. It was physical,” Brunson mentioned. “It was a grind-it-out game.”
Brunson was inadvertently kicked in the groin space by Hawks guard CJ McCollum on a leap shot in the third quarter, incomes McCollum a technical foul.
Karl-Anthony Townswho scored 19 of his 25 factors in the second half, was elbowed in the top by Hawks ahead Jonathan Kuminga whereas going for a rebound. Knicks backup heart Mitchell Robinson was additionally hit in the groin space by Jalen Johnson on a drive.
Neither Brunson’s capturing woes nor the bodily play deterred his effectiveness in the second half, as he facilitated and competed on protection. Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walkera candidate for Most Improved Player, averaged 20.8 factors per sport in the common season and shot 39.9% from 3-point vary. But the Knicks’ relentless perimeter exercise restricted him to 6-for-17 capturing and 17 factors.
“It’s really important, you never know what’s going to happen,” Brunson mentioned. “There’s going to be highs and lows of a season, highs and lows of a game, and to be able to fight through and still find a way to impact is very important for us, especially this point of the season.”
Brunson’s postseason exploits started when he was a member of the Dallas Mavericks and taking part in behind Luka Doncic. With Doncic out due to damage, Brunson scored 41 in Game 2 of Dallas’ first-round collection towards the Utah Jazz in 2022. Quin Snyder coached that Jazz crew earlier than he turned the Hawks coach.
“Luka was out, and that provided an opportunity where there was a need, and he was prepared for that with how good of a player he was,” Snyder mentioned earlier than Saturday’s Game 1. “It was in some ways foreshadowing, you could feel it. You knew when he was doing some of the things he was doing in that series; it was there.”
Brunson often controls video games together with his scoring, however he has been extra of a facilitator in current weeks. He is averaging practically 9 assists throughout a 19-game stretch since March 1.
OG Anunoby scored 18 and Josh Hart added 11 factors and 14 rebounds for the Knicks on Saturday. New York coach Mike Brown has been preaching sacrifice this season, and for an evening, his gamers might see the long-term advantages of getting into the highlight when the second requires it.
“We have capable guys,” Brown mentioned. (*1*)
The chemistry between Towns and Brunson has been a every day matter since Towns arrived earlier than the beginning of final yr’s coaching camp. Although their bond hasn’t but developed into what many predicted, it is nonetheless rising.
“The longer we’re on the court together, our chemistry is better,” Brunson mentioned. “We’ve grown as teammates, we’ve grown as friends, and it contributed to the way we’re playing.”
