Jalen Brunson's monster night gives Knicks life vs. Heat
When the New York Knicks needed him most, star Jalen Brunson stepped up.
Staring elimination in the face, Brunson willed the Knicks past Jimmy Butler and the Heat 112-103, dropping a game-high 38 points.
Brunson's 38-point outing in Game 5 Wednesday gave him 265 points through 10 postseason games. According to ESPN Stats and Info, only Bernard King (310) and Carmelo Anthony (279) scored more through their first 10 playoff games with New York.
The 26-year-old was the Knicks' iron man in Game 5, playing all 48 minutes while finishing a rebound and three assists short of a triple-double. Brunson was also extremely efficient on Wednesday night, shooting 54.5% (12-of-22) from the field and 40% (4-of-10) from three.
Brunson wasn't the Knicks' only 48-minute man versus the Heat. Quentin Grimes also played every minute of Game 5, recording eight points, five assists and four rebounds.
The pair of Brunson and Grimes became the first Knicks to play all 48 minutes in a playoff game since Walt Frazier and Jerry Lucas in 1972, per The Athletic.
After the game, Brunson said there was no discussion with head coach Tom Thibodeau about playing the entirety of Game 5, but he was willing to do what was needed to keep the Knicks' season alive.
"Just tried to do everything I could to win," Brunson said via SNY. "We did that and now it's on to Game 6.
Along with Brunson, the Knicks received a massive effort from starters Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett, who combined for 50 points and eight three-pointers.
While the Knicks' offense shined, New York kept Butler at bay on the defensive end, holding the Heat star to only 19 points on 5-of-12 shooting.
Still down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, there's still a steep mountain to climb for Brunson and the Knicks.
The best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series shifts back to Miami for Game 6 Friday. If the Knicks can pull out yet another massive win, they'll force a Game 7 back at Madison Square Garden.
More must-reads: