Getting far in the NBA playoffs often comes down to having a great offensive player or players who can consistently create good looks. After years of searching, the Knicks have this player in Jalen Brunson.
The small point guard is on a roll, averaging a league-high 34.6 points and 7.9 assists. During these playoffs, Brunson became the fourth player to score 40+ points in four consecutive postseason games. The most recent was Michael Jordan in the 1993 NBA Finals.
The individual accolades are countless, but Brunson helped just by being on the floor. He is giving his team a chance to win every night and allowing his teammates to thrive. The Knicks rank third in offensive efficiency among playoff teams this season.
Brunson has slowed down the last two games due to soreness in his right foot. But he’s still creating good looks. Brunson didn’t play his best game New York lost 111-106 on Friday night, shooting 10 of 26 from the field and scoring 26 points. But his impact can be felt in other ways. Donte DiVincenzo had a team-high 35 points, including seven three-pointers. Three of those treys came on passes from Brunson, which drew extra attention from Pacers defenders both in transition and at midcourt.
The Pacers are not a particularly good defensive team, but they have made a concerted effort to give Brunson different looks. He’s attacking one-on-one matchups. He cut and cut Andrew Nembhard in the first two games. Indian wing Aaron Nesmith did a better job with Brunson in Game 3, but the Knicks All-Star usually has an answer for any and all defenders.
If the Pacers hit the pick and roll, Brunson accurately delivered the pocket pass or hockey assist to Isaiah Hartenstein. These passes led to an open shot from Hartenstein or another teammate. If Indiana tried to set a trap, Brunson quickly moved the ball leading to an advantageous situation for the offense.
Brunson is making the right decisions more often. Additionally, all the attention given to Brunson is causing confusion on defense, leading to constant offensive rebounding opportunities for the Knicks.
The Knicks played more clutch minutes than any team in the playoffs. According to NBA.com’s clutch stats, the Knicks are outscoring opponents by 8.0 points per 100 possessions in 38 clutch minutes during the playoffs. Clutch statistics are a count of possessions in which the score was within five points in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime.
In tough times, the Knicks know they can go to Brunson and generate offense on almost every possession, which is valuable in high-pressure situations. And this is shown by how the Knicks have won the majority of games played in the postseason.
Injuries piling up
Because the Knicks are shorthanded, they may need to request a special exception from the NBA to allow one of the Knicks alumni who attend home playoff games to suit up. I bet Carmelo Anthony or Stephen Marbury could give the team five minutes.
With OG Anunoby Outside of Game 3, the Knicks were shorthanded. In addition to Anunoby, the Knicks were also without offensive players Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson It is Bojan Bogdanovic.
Trainer Tom Thibodeau I went for a backup plan. Alex Burks played 44 seconds in Game 2, the only time he saw action in the postseason. The Knicks dusted off the veteran and he was a revelation.
Burks scored 14 points and grabbed four rebounds in 21 minutes. One has to imagine the performance gave Burks some momentum for more playing time. With Anunoby out for Game 4, the Knicks will need him again on Sunday afternoon.
center Jericho Sims played four minutes in the first half. With Hartenstein as starter and Precious Achiuwa Capable of playing both the four and five, it’s hard to imagine Sims seeing more than spot minutes.
New York is at a breaking point. There are not many players available in the squad. Mid-season purchase pickup Shake Milton didn’t see any playoff minutes. Mamadi Diakité It is DaQuan Jeffries are the only other options available. These two played 119 career games in the NBA.
