Jalen Brunson's extraordinary performance led the New York Knicks to a thrilling 109-105 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. Despite facing an injury scare to his left eye, Brunson poured in 40 points, igniting the crowd with chants of 'MVP! MVP!' in a truly memorable night for the talented guard.
Reflecting on his remarkable achievement, Brunson struggled to put his emotions into words when asked about the significance of the night during a post-game interview. He expressed gratitude for the experience, the team's victory, and the events leading up to the game. Clearly overwhelmed, Brunson acknowledged the uniqueness of such moments, emphasizing just how special they are for any athlete.
Earlier in the game, Brunson shook off the discomfort from his eye injury to make a crucial basket with only 1:46 remaining, ultimately sealing the Knicks' ninth consecutive win. During the fourth quarter, Brunson contributed 11 points to rally his team from a 15-point deficit. While the Pacers briefly regained the lead at 100-99 when Brunson collided with Andrew Nembhard, the resilient guard quickly returned to the court, scoring while drawing a foul to put the Knicks back on top.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau praised Brunson's competitive spirit, highlighting his resilience and unwavering determination to lead the team to victory. Alongside Brunson's incredible performance, Donte DiVincenzo contributed 20 points, while Precious Achiuwa added 12 points and 16 rebounds. Isaiah Hartenstein also played a significant role, recording an impressive double-double with 12 points and 19 boards.
Despite struggling from beyond the arc, with only four successful three-pointers out of 24 attempts through three quarters, the Knicks compensated by outrebounding the Pacers 60-44 and scoring 25 second-chance points. This dominance on the boards played a crucial role in securing their win.
The Knicks faced the Pacers without two of their starting forwards, Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, who were sidelined due to injuries. Randle will remain out until after the All-Star break due to a dislocated right shoulder, while Anunoby missed his third consecutive game with right elbow inflammation. Additionally, guard Quentin Grimes was unable to play due to a sprained right knee.
For the Pacers, Jalen Smith contributed 20 points, while Pascal Siakam added 18. Despite a strong start, the Pacers failed to hold onto their early lead and were unable to secure a victory against the surging Knicks.
The night began on an exciting note with the announcement of Brunson's first All-Star Game selection, eliciting a tremendous roar from the crowd. The applause continued when Randle was introduced as another All-Star. However, the Pacers were determined to spoil the festivities, jumping out to a 41-26 lead early in the second quarter.
Although the Pacers maintained a double-digit advantage during most of the game, the Knicks mounted a comeback in the final quarter. Deuce McBride and Brunson unleashed consecutive three-pointers, tying the game at 91. Brunson then propelled the Knicks to a 97-91 lead with consecutive baskets, followed by a powerful slam dunk from Hartenstein after retrieving a missed shot, thus completing a 12-0 run.
With the victory, the Knicks extended their impressive 14-2 record from January. However, they face the challenge of continuing their winning streak without key players such as Randle and Anunoby. The Pacers, on the other hand, suffered their second straight loss after a three-game winning streak.
Looking ahead, the Pacers will host the Sacramento Kings on Friday, while the Knicks will face the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Saturday.
