Things looked bleak for the New York Knicks when Jalen Brunson, their MVP all season, sat out the entire second quarter due to an injury.
But when Brunson returned in the second half, the Knicks returned to form to defeat the Indiana Pacers in Game 2, 130-121, to take a two-game lead in their NBA Playoffs second-round series. .
New York rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit thanks to Brunson's efforts. He led the Knicks once again in the scoring department, although he failed to reach five consecutive postseason games with 40 or more points.
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Jalen Brunson (11) of the New York Knicks gestures after making a 3-point shot against the Indiana Pacers during the first half of Game 2 in an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Wednesday, May 8 2024 in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Brunson finished with 29 on 11-of-18 shooting, including 3-of-6 from three-point territory, while dishing out five assists and adding three steals.
“I'm glad we did it, to be honest with you. We found a way,” Brunson said after the game to TNT about returning to the game.
When Brunson walked out, Madison Square Garden couldn't understand why, leading the raucous Knicks faithful to murmur. That's when the Pacers began to change the tone of the game, outscoring the Knicks with fast-break baskets and open three-pointers. They won the second quarter on the scoreboard, 37-27, to score 73 points in the first half.
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Tyrese Haliburton was a key factor in the Pacers' attack, as he had a much better game offensively than Game 1, where he scored just six points on six total shots. Haliburton finished with a game-high 34 points with seven 3-pointers, including five in the first half.
But MSG erupted when Brunson came out with a few minutes left in halftime to warm up, and after testing that foot, he told head coach Tom Thibodeau he was ready to play again.
Obi Toppin #1 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the game against the New York Knicks during Game 2 of Round 2 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City , NY. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Knicks would end up destroying the Pacers in the third quarter, 36-18, to regain the lead heading into the fourth.
And although the Pacers were relentless, Brunson and the Knicks continued to do what they do best: put the ball in the hands of their star point guard, grab offensive rebounds and close out important games.
Now, even though Brunson returned, the Knicks didn't leave this game without some bad injury news.
OG Anunoby, who scored 28 points on 10-of-19 shooting, was running down the court for a chance to hit a fast break when he limped near the basket. The Knicks ruled him out for the rest of the game with left hamstring soreness, and they certainly hope he doesn't persist into Friday's Game 3 road game.
The Knicks were already without Mitchell Robinson, who discovered he reinjured the ankle that kept him out of 50 games in the regular season. He will likely miss the rest of the playoffs.
But as Thibodeau said before the fourth quarter, the next man just has to step up. Donte DiVincenzo played the role with 28 points, going 10 of 20 with six three-pointers, while Isaiah Hartenstein collected 12 rebounds and 14 points. Josh Hart also led the way in the rebounding department with 15 and totaled 19 points himself.
Jalen Brunson (11) of the New York Knicks runs on the court after scoring against the Indiana Pacers during the first half of Game 2 in an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in New York York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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For the Pacers, Andrew Nembhard scored 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting, while Obi Toppin led off the bench with 20 points against his former team. TJ McConnell was also bothering Brunson when he returned in the second half on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively, he scored 10 points and a team-high 12 assists.
The series now heads to Indianapolis, where the Pacers have their backs against the walls a bit down two games to none as the Knicks battled injuries to win another home game.
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