SUMMARY
- Jalen Brunson scored 43 points in Game 1 vs Pacers to secure the win.
- Brunson matched Michael Jordan's scoring record by delivering his fourth 40-point consecutive performance in the playoffs
Jalen Brunson was absolutely phenomenal during Game 1 over the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Indiana Pacers. However, it was a close contest between both teams as they exchanged leads through a fiery fourth-quarter ending. Brunson had a fairly slow game until the final 12 minutes. With less than a minute left, Donte DiVincenzo fired a three-pointer to bring the score to 115-118.
Brunson was ultimately fouled by the Pacers twice under 15 seconds left on the game clock. The Knicks secured a 117-121 win at the start of the series. Amidst the incredible performances Brunson has had in the playoffs, DiVincenzo spoke about him being excluded from the MVP conversation.
“We know in our locker room that he’s our MVP and we know he’s our leader and we’re gonna ride with him.”
Donte DiVincenzo was asked if he thinks Jalen Brunson should have been one of the finalists for NBA MVP: pic.twitter.com/KIbllfgGYu
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 7, 2024
“The thing about us is we know what we have in Jalen and that’s all that matters. I think for us internally, you know, he’s our leader. Would we like to his name in that conversation? Absolutely. We know in our locker room that he’s our MVP and we know he’s our leader and we’re gonna ride with him,” said Donte. Surprisingly, Jalen finished fifth in the MVP race while Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Nikola Jokic made the final list.
Jalen Brunson matches Michael Jordan’s incredible playoff-scoring feat
Over the last four playoff games, Jalen Brunson has averaged 42.7 points per game. All four games featured 40-point performances and Brunson also scored the most points by a Knicks player in the playoffs. He scored 47 points in Game 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers in round one.
However, he finished with 43 points in Game 1 versus the Pacers. He became the fourth player in NBA history to achieve this playoff feat besides Michael Jordan, Bernard King, and the legendary Jerry West. Brunson has been averaging 36.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game in the playoffs this year. Jordan averaged 36.3 during his fourth appearance in the playoffs.
The Pacers’ biggest issue is Jalen Brunson’s aggressiveness
If there is one thing the Pacers have to be careful of, it’s Jalen Brunson’s aggressiveness. Unlike the Pacers, the Knicks do not have a “go-to” player or a first option. But Brunson happens to be their best performer. Indiana has an experienced champion, Pascal Siakam who is surrounded by veterans like Myles Turner and TJ McCollum.
The Knicks are 3-1 at home in this year’s playoffs which is also a major point that the Pacers have to keep in mind. Besides Brunson, they also have to be on the lookout for Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. Both players have been actively improving their shot selection and defensive abilities.