Jalen Brunson breaks out with 39 points, with some credit for Towns and even some for mom
After Jalen Brunson's breakout game of these playoffs, the question was who deserved the credit for his play. Maybe it was Karl-Anthony Towns — though he himself wasn't sure about that one. Whatever the reason, Brunson scored 39 points on Tuesday night, leading the Knicks to a 126-97 victory over the Atlanta Hawks for a 3-2 lead in their first-round series.
NEW YORK (AP) — After Jalen Brunson's breakout game of these playoffs, the question was who deserved the credit for his play. Maybe, according to one suggestion, it was his mom. Maybe it was Karl-Anthony Towns — though he himself wasn't sure about that one.
Whatever the reason, Brunson scored 39 points on Tuesday night, leading the Knicks to a 126-97 victory over the Atlanta Hawks for a 3-2 lead in their first-round series. Brunson averaged 25. 5 points in the first four games but shot only 41.
6% from the field. He definitely seemed to be enjoying himself while scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter, but he said that was because of his team's play, not his own. “The ball went in but I was just happy that we were able to keep the lead and play well with it,” Brunson said.
“They’re a team that’s capable of going on runs, as we know from early in the series to close out games, but I just like the way we played in the fourth and how we kept the lead. ” The Knicks were already ahead by 18 points after three quarters, before Brunson shot 5 for 6, making both 3-point attempts, in just 8 1/2 minutes. He made a late run at a ninth 40-point playoff game with the Knicks, which would have extended the franchise record he already owns, before the benches were emptied.