Knicks' Brunson boosts team performance
The Knights Dance Their Way to the Semis
In a pulsating Game 6, Jalen Brunson dropped a triple with mere seconds left on the clock, snatching the NY Knicks a thrilling 116-113 victory over the Detroit Pistons and sending them into the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Brunson, the star of the night, uncorked an astounding 40 points - a game-high - and showed why he's a force to be reckoned with, particularly in crucial moments. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau couldn't help but heap praise on his standout player, remarking, "He's at his best when his best is needed, and he's shown that all year. That's what makes him special."
Detroit's final attempt to level the game ended in a costly turnover, with Malik Beasley losing possession with just a fraction of a second left.
Now, the Knicks - seeded third in the East - prepare to battle the second-seeded Boston Celtics for a shot at the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000.
Mikal Bridges added 25 points to Brunson's heroics, with OG Anunoby contributing 22. Despite surrendering double-digit leads in both the fourth quarter and the second, the Knicks managed to hang on for the win.
For the Pistons, Cade Cunningham scored 23 points, accompanied by eight assists and seven rebounds. However, his struggles beyond the arc, as evidenced by his 0-for-8 performance on three-pointers, proved costly. Tim Hardaway Jr. also struggled, netting just seven points on 1-of-6 shooting from downtown.
The Pistons, who had been displaying significant improvement during the regular season and ended the NBA's longest playoff losing streak in their first postseason appearance since 2019, extended their home playoff losing streak to a league-record 10 games, dating back to 2008.
"We did so many things well and gave ourselves a fighting chance," lamented Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff after the loss. "They just made one more play than we did."
Meanwhile, the ongoing series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets took a decisive turn in Game 6, with the Clippers securing a 111-105 win to force a Game 7.
James Harden's 28 points and eight assists, along with Kawhi Leonard's 27 points, propelled the Clippers to victory at the Intuit Dome. The Clippers bounced back from two straight losses, demonstrating a formidable defensive effort in the second half, particularly against Nikola Jokic.
Norman Powell delivered 24 points for Los Angeles. Despite Jokic's 25-point performance, he was limited to just five points in the second half, a clear testament to the Clippers' defensive adjustments. Jamal Murray contributed 21 points for Denver.
The Nuggets, who have had a rocky history with close-out games, have now dropped three potential series-clinching games in their last four playoff opportunities. This includes surrendering a 3-2 lead against Minnesota in the second round of the previous season. The Nuggets' last Game 7 victory occurred in 2020 against the Clippers themselves.
Game 7 promises to be an electrifying showdown!
Jalen Brunson's particular range was on display yet again, as he scored 40 points to lead the NY Knicks in Game 6, snatching a thrilling victory against the Detroit Pistons and propelling them into the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Brunson's performance, showcasing his ability to perform well in crucial moments, was highly commended by Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.
Despite the Knicks squandering double-digit leads in the fourth quarter and the second, they managed to hang on for the win, thanks to Brunson's heroics and strong supporting performances from Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.
Cade Cunningham's struggle from the NBA three-point line, evidenced by his 0-for-8 performance, proved costly for the Pistons. This loss extended their home playoff losing streak to a league-record 10 games, dating back to 2008.
