Staring elimination within the face, Brunson willed the Knicks previous Jimmy Butler and the Heat 112-103, dropping a game-high 38 factors.
Brunson’s 38-point outing in Game 5 Wednesday gave him 265 factors via 10 postseason video games. According to ESPN Stats and Info, solely Bernard King (310) and Carmelo Anthony (279) scored extra via their first 10 playoff video games with New York.
The 26-year-old was the Knicks’ iron man in Game 5, enjoying all 48 minutes whereas ending a rebound and three assists wanting a triple-double. Brunson was additionally extraordinarily environment friendly on Wednesday night time, taking pictures 54.5% (12-of-22) from the sphere and 40% (4-of-10) from three.
Brunson wasn’t the Knicks’ solely 48-minute man versus the Heat. Quentin Grimes additionally performed each minute of Game 5, recording eight factors, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.
The pair of Brunson and Grimes turned the primary Knicks to play all 48 minutes in a playoff recreation since Walt Frazier and Jerry Lucas in 1972, per The Athletic.
After the sport, Brunson stated there was no discussion with head coach Tom Thibodeau about enjoying the whole thing of Game 5, however he was keen to do what was wanted to maintain the Knicks’ season alive.
“Just tried to do everything I could to win,” Brunson stated through SNY. “We did that and now it is on to Game 6.
Along with Brunson, the Knicks acquired an enormous effort from starters Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett, who mixed for 50 factors and eight three-pointers.
While the Knicks’ offense shined, New York saved Butler at bay on the defensive finish, holding the Heat star to solely 19 factors on 5-of-12 taking pictures.
Still down 3-2 within the best-of-seven collection, there’s nonetheless a steep mountain to climb for Brunson and the Knicks.
The best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal collection shifts again to Miami for Game 6 Friday. If the Knicks can pull out one more huge win, they will power a Game 7 again at Madison Square Garden.
