Jalen Brunson sends Knicks to second round with clutch 3-pointer

One moment, Little Caesars Arena was buzzing with excitement, as Pistons fans believed their team was headed for a Game 7 in New York, with a chance to advance to the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. The next, the arena fell silent, as Jalen Brunson delivered a cold-blooded, top-of-the-key 3-pointer after a slick crossover.

With that shot, the Knicks stunned the crowd and ended Detroit’s best season in nearly two decades, securing a 116-113 win and closing the series in six games. “Jalen’s shot, what can you say?” said coach Tom Thibodeau. “He’s at his best when his best is needed. He’s done it all year. That’s what makes him special.” Brunson’s 40-point, seven-assist performance helped the Knicks advance to the second round for the third consecutive season.

The Knicks are now preparing to face the reigning champion Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they will be heavy underdogs. “I think we’ve grown, we’re continuing to grow,” said Josh Hart. “So it’s going to be a heck of a battle.”

On Thursday night, the Knicks celebrated a hard-fought victory after blowing leads of 15 points in the second quarter and 11 in the fourth. Trailing by seven late, Brunson sparked an 11-1 run, capped by Mikal Bridges’ game-tying tip-in. After a crucial stop, Brunson took over, crossing up Pistons’ defender Ausar Thompson and sinking the game-winning shot with 4.3 seconds left, silencing the crowd that had relentlessly taunted him throughout the series.