Jalen Brunson had a breakout offensive game with 39 points in Game 3 of the playoffs, despite struggling in the first two games. The Knicks had won the first two games with Brunson shooting poorly, showcasing the team’s ability to still come out on top despite individual struggles. Brunson emphasized the importance of sticking together as a team, focusing on being quicker and more cohesive on both offense and defense.
In the first two games of the series, Brunson missed 39 of 55 shot attempts, but the Knicks managed to win Game 1 with strong performances from other players like Josh Hart, Miles McBride, and Mitchell Robinson. Game 2 saw a frantic 8-0 comeback in the final seconds, led by Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo. Despite the challenges, the team showed resilience and determination.
Brunson, at 6-foot-2, has been guarded by taller opponents like Kelly Oubre Jr. and Nicolas Batum in the first three games of the series. Despite the height disadvantage, Brunson had a much-improved shooting night in Game 3, hitting nearly half of his shot attempts and making an impact from the free-throw line as well. Oubre and Batum acknowledged Brunson’s skills and the challenge of defending him effectively.
Oubre commented on Brunson’s ability to control the ball and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He highlighted Brunson’s high usage rate and the importance of staying disciplined while guarding him. Batum echoed similar sentiments, noting that players like Brunson will always find ways to get their shots off, but the key is to make them work for each one. Both defenders recognized Brunson’s craftiness and shooting ability, emphasizing the need to make him work for every shot.
Overall, the Knicks have shown resilience and teamwork in the face of individual struggles, managing to win games despite Brunson’s earlier shooting woes. Brunson’s breakout performance in Game 3 highlighted his offensive capabilities, but the team ultimately fell short in that game. Moving forward, the Knicks will look to maintain their cohesion and defensive discipline to contain Brunson and the Sixers’ offensive threats, focusing on making their opponents work for their shots and staying united as a team.
