Knicks win as Jalen Brunson scores 40 points in his fourth consecutive game.

Jalen Brunson’s incredible scoring streak is continuing, and a new foe is experiencing his fury.
On Monday, Brunson had another outstanding performance in the fourth quarter. The New York Knicks defeated the Indiana Pacers 121-117 Game 1 thanks to his constant basket assaults and brilliant shot creation, which resulted in 21 of his 43 points.

Brunson has scored 40 points in four consecutive playoff games, evoking memories of his late-game heroics against the Philadelphia 76ers in the previous round. He became the first player in NBA history to have four straight 40-point, five-assist playoff games when his six assists were added.
According to Brunson, “little things can go a long way.” “Yeah, the 40 points are nice and all, but our success in games like that really comes down to the small things. I’m simply grateful to have the boys in my life. I simply know that there will be arguments between us every day. I’m just thinking about it.”
In his previous five games, Brunson has scored or assisted on 321 points, which is the second-most in NBA playoff history during a five-game stretch. He only trails last year’s MVP of the Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic, by 329 over five postseason games.
The largest assist came in the last minute of Game 1. As in the last two wins against the 76ers, Brunson used the defensive pressure on him to launch a laser at Donte DiVincenzo. With 40 seconds remaining, his old Villanova teammate hit a 3-pointer to break the tie at 115-115 and give the Knicks the lead they needed to win.
DiVincenzo made 8 of 10 shots and scored 21 of his 25 points in the second half.
However, it was a contentious occasion as well. After Pacers player Aaron Nesmith seemed to have stolen a pass from Brunson and created a fastbreak chance for the Pacers, he was called for a kicked ball and the Knicks kept control of the ball.
Nesmith’s foot was extending when the ball struck his hand, therefore the officials determined that he had kicked the ball, which resulted in a violation. There was a challenge offered to the Pacers, but these plays cannot be reviewed.
Referees acknowledged they had missed the call after the game.
“We believed that would be a kicked ball violation on the ground. In a pool report, crew chief Zach Zarba said, “Postgame review did show that it hit the defender’s hand, which would be legal.”
As he attempted to release point guard Tyrese Haliburton, centre Myles Turner was called for a moving screen on DiVencenzo with 12.7 seconds remaining and the Pacers trailing the game. The Pacers contested the decision since it was a tight play, but an examination affirmed it.
The coach of the Pacers, Rick Carlisle, said, “We’re not expecting to get calls in here.” “They could have fired that one, but they didn’t. Thus, such is the nature of things.”
Turner gave DiVencenzo credit for selling the foul after leading the Pacers with 23 points in the defeat. He followed the right path after the heartbreaking loss, just like his coach.
“Just in my experience in this league, I think it’s best when players decide the outcome of the game,” Turner said. “For the most part you can’t leave the game to be decided by the refs, so we have to take accountability as well.”
Josh Hart, who finished with 24 points, and DiVincenzo were such offensive catalysts that the Pacers regretted sending Brunson on the line 14 times, as he hit every one of them. Throughout the second half, the Knicks shot 65%.
This postseason, Hart has played all 48 minutes three times, which is the most since Jimmy Butler did it five times in the 2013 playoffs.
With back spasms bothering him, Haliburton was considered iffy before the game and finished with only six points and one 3-pointer. Brunson’s dominant performance in that star point guard showdown was difficult for the Pacers to overcome.
Over the last five games, Brunson has averaged 12.4 points per game in the fourth quarter. Under intense duress, he consistently hit 6-of-10 shots and was 8-of-8 from the line in the closing minutes.
The Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau remarked, “You could go on and on every night, and the thing I love about him is he’s all about the team.” “I believe that if he achieves his goals of winning and supporting his teammates, what more could we possibly ask for? Do we need a large pail? He’ll supply us anything we need.”

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