DETROIT — Jalen Brunson showcased his dazzling dribbling skills, weaving the ball between his legs to create the space he needed to sink a decisive 3-pointer with just 4.3 seconds remaining on the clock. His shot secured a thrilling 116-113 victory for the New York Knicks over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night, propelling them into the second round of the NBA playoffs. After the dramatic win, Brunson acknowledged the importance of remaining calm under pressure and credited his composure to the faith and support of his teammates.
Brunson proved why he was recently honored with the NBA’s clutch player of the year award, as his coach, Tom Thibodeau, praised his consistent performance in critical moments. Thibodeau expressed his admiration, stating, “He’s at his best when his best is needed, and he’s been like that all season. That’s his special quality.” The Pistons had a chance to force overtime, but Malik Beasley mishandled a pass with merely four-tenths of a second left, ending their hopes of extending the game.
Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Beasley, who had been a strong performer in the second quarter with 16 points out of his 20, lamented, “I had a chance to make a three and tie the game. It’s tough to swallow.” As the third seed, the Knicks are set to challenge the second-seeded Boston Celtics in the upcoming round, aiming for their first Eastern Conference finals since 2000. The upcoming series kicks off Monday in Boston. Thibodeau acknowledged the challenge, saying, “They’re the reigning champions, so we’ll need to play our best.”
Throughout the game, Mikal Bridges stepped up with 25 points while OG Anunoby added 22 points, helping the Knicks maintain their edge with crucial plays after letting significant leads slip away in both the second and fourth quarters. For the Pistons, this season marked an impressive comeback as they ended the NBA’s longest playoff drought since 2019. However, the home defeat extended another record, with the Pistons losing their 10th consecutive postseason home game since 2008.
Cade Cunningham impressed with 23 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds for Detroit, though his shooting from the 3-point line faltered at 0 for 8. His teammate, Tim Hardaway Jr., managed just seven points, struggling with his three-point attempts, hitting only one out of six. Hardaway briefly put the Pistons ahead late in the game, but Brunson responded with consecutive points, cementing his team’s advance.
Cunningham’s missed layup with 22 seconds left was costly, as Brunson capitalized on the opportunity by sealing the win on the next possession. “We had our chances and did so many things right,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff admitted. “But they made just one more play than we did.” Throughout the series, Brunson faced a hostile Detroit crowd, enduring boos and more, especially during Game 3, prompting even Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr to defend him.
Thibodeau, however, emphasized Brunson’s resilience, noting, “His focus is impeccable. He’s not affected by noise or distractions. All he cares about is the game, ignoring everything else.” The Knicks’ latest win sets the stage for an exciting matchup ahead as they prepare to face Boston.