Brunson delivers in game 5: “This series is a chess match”
Brunson drops 39 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, leading the Knicks to a 3-2 series edge over the Hawks
After a slow start to the series, Jalen Brunson chose the biggest stage to remind everyone why he is the leader of the New York Knicks. In a must-win Game 5, the No. 11 carried his team to a dominant 126-97 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, giving New York a 3-2 lead in the series.
Brunson entered the game after struggling against the suffocating defense of Dyson Daniels. However, Quin Snyder’s tactical decision to shift Daniels onto Karl-Anthony Towns gave Jalen the space he needed to take over. Brunson finished with 39 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter alone to shut down any comeback attempt.
The ball went in, but I’m just happy we were able to maintain the lead. They’re a team capable of big runs – we’ve known that since the start of the series. I liked how we played in the fourth quarter
Jalen Brunson
When asked about Atlanta’s defensive adjustments, the Knicks’ leader compared the series to a mental battle:
It’s like a chess match. If someone makes a move, you’ve got to make another one. You have to wait and see what they do – we have to be ready for anything
Jalen Brunson
Defense and consistency: Mike Brown’s formula
It wasn’t just a record night for Brunson. The Knicks have dominated the last two games by an average margin of 22.5 points, shutting down Atlanta’s offense. Veterans like CJ McCollum, who had been instrumental in the Hawks’ wins earlier in the series, were held to just 6 points – credit to a defensive cohesion that Brunson was quick to highlight:
We’re on the same page on both ends of the floor. We’ve raised our level as a group
Jalen Brunson
Head coach Mike Brown called his captain’s performance “phenomenal,” praising the toughness the team has developed during this turbulent first round. Now, the Knicks will have their first chance to close out the series on Thursday and advance to the Conference Semifinals.