Jalen Brunson's huge night puts Knicks on verge of playoff clinch
No Julius Randle? No problem.
The New York Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-116 on Friday night, winning the season series 3-1 and moving within one victory of clinching a playoff berth.
They also answered the question of who was going to step up in the absence of Julius Randle, who is currently nursing an ankle injury . Jalen Brunson scored a career-high 48 points to lead the Knicks, including 33 in the first half.
Brunson did it against the Knicks' likely first-round playoff opponent, too, one which boasts the league's top-ranked defense. After Cavaliers point guard Donovan Mitchell earned an All-Star Game start in February -- while Brunson was snubbed -- there was more than enough motivation entering the Friday matchup.
Mitchell was no slouch himself, scoring 42 points for Cleveland. Ultimately Brunson's performance was simply too overwhelming. That virtuoso show included a dagger three to cap things off, one which elicited an emphatic "BANG!" from broadcaster Mike Breen.
Julius Randle was so excited that he almost re-injured his bad ankle crashing Brunson's postgame interview.
After Friday night, the Knicks have to feel much better about playing without Randle. And about playing the Cavaliers in the postseason, should that expected matchup come to fruition in April.
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