Jalen Brunson’s 40 Points Send Knicks Forward, Eliminate Pistons/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jalen Brunson hit a clutch three-pointer with 4.3 seconds left and finished with 40 points to lead the New York Knicks past the Detroit Pistons 116-113 in Game 6. The victory sends New York to the second round of the NBA Playoffs for a matchup with the Boston Celtics. Despite a strong showing, Detroit failed to capitalize late, ending their surprise season.
Jalen Brunson’s 40 Points Send Knicks Forward: Quick Looks
- Brunson nailed game-winning 3-pointer with 4.3 seconds left
- He scored 40 points, adding to his Clutch Player of the Year résumé
- Knicks win Game 6, take series 4-2 over Pistons
- Detroit failed to get a shot off in final possession
- Mikal Bridges scored 25, OG Anunoby added 22 for New York
- Knicks face Celtics in second-round Game 1 on Monday
- Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 23 points but went 0-for-8 from deep
- Pistons end first playoff run since 2019, fall short at home again
Deep Look: Brunson’s Heroics Send Knicks to Second Round After Game 6 Thriller Over Pistons
DETROIT — Jalen Brunson’s dagger three-pointer in the final seconds silenced a hostile Detroit crowd and propelled the New York Knicks to a thrilling 116-113 victory over the Pistons on Thursday night. With the win, the Knicks sealed a 4-2 first-round series triumph and advanced to the second round for a marquee showdown with the Boston Celtics.
Brunson’s decisive shot, coming after a crafty crossover and step-back move with just 4.3 seconds left, capped off a 40-point night for the All-Star guard, who continued to prove why he was named the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year.
“I stay poised and I rely on the trust and composure my teammates give me,” Brunson said postgame.
Knicks Stay Calm in the Chaos
In a tense final stretch, Brunson’s five straight points erased a late 112-105 deficit and ultimately swung momentum in New York’s favor. After a missed layup by Cade Cunningham with 22 seconds remaining, Brunson seized the moment and buried his shot over a tightly contested defense.
“He’s at his best when his best is needed,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. “That’s what makes him special.”
New York weathered a 15-point second-quarter lead slipping away and held off a Pistons comeback that had given Detroit its first lead since the opening frame.
Key Contributions Around the Star
While Brunson was the standout, the Knicks’ supporting cast showed up when it mattered. Mikal Bridges scored 25 points and OG Anunoby added 22. Defensively, they helped hold off a red-hot Pistons team in a hostile Little Caesars Arena.
Detroit, which surged into the playoffs after a historic midseason turnaround, again fell short at home — now losing 10 straight playoff games at home dating back to 2008.
Detroit’s Last-Gasp Effort Falls Short
The Pistons nearly forced a Game 7. After Malik Beasley’s 16-point second quarter, he had a chance to send the game to overtime with a buzzer-beating three, but fumbled the inbounds pass with 0.4 seconds left.
“This is tough,” Beasley said. “I had a chance to make a three and tie the game. I’m mad about that.”
Cade Cunningham led the team with 23 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, but was 0-for-8 from beyond the arc. His backcourt partner Tim Hardaway Jr. scored just seven points on 1-of-6 from three.
Despite the loss, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff remained optimistic:
“We did so many things well and gave ourselves a chance. They just made one more play than we did.”
What’s Next: Celtics vs. Knicks
The Knicks now set their sights on Boston, the defending champions and second seed in the East. Game 1 tips off Monday night in Boston, where New York will aim to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
“They’re the defending champion,” said Thibodeau. “So we’re going to have to be at our best.”
Brunson Stays Cool Amid Heat
Throughout the series, Brunson was a target of Detroit fans, who booed him mercilessly. Their jeers only seemed to fuel him.
“His focus is terrific,” Thibodeau added. “He doesn’t get sidetracked with anything but the game.”
Golden State coach Steve Kerr even came to Brunson’s defense after the most hostile Game 3 crowd noise.
Now, with Detroit behind them, the Knicks look locked in for their next challenge.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.