Jalen Brunson led the New York Knicks to a crucial Game 5 victory against the Miami Heat, but the star guard is not ready to celebrate just yet. Despite his impressive performance of 38 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, Brunson acknowledged that the series is far from over and the team still has a lot of work to do if they want to stage a comeback.
"There's nothing really to celebrate…this was great, but we gotta go get one down there."
Jalen Brunson following the Game 5 win pic.twitter.com/aunYVGOJnn
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 11, 2023
Speaking to reporters after the game, Brunson emphasized that the Knicks have yet to win on the road and that Game 6 in Miami will be their biggest test yet. He acknowledged that playing the Heat on their home turf is a difficult task, as Miami has yet to lose at home in this year’s playoffs.
The Knicks are also facing the daunting task of overcoming a 3-1 deficit, a feat that only 13 teams in NBA history have accomplished. However, Brunson’s teammate RJ Barrett remains hopeful, noting that it is not impossible.
The Heat, on the other hand, have a history of closing out series when leading 3-1. They have never lost a series in which they held a 3-1 lead, and the Knicks are 0-14 in situations where they trailed 3-1. With the odds stacked against them, the Knicks will need to be laser-focused in order to pull off a historic comeback.
Game 6 between the Knicks and Heat is scheduled for Friday, and it will be a do-or-die situation for New York. If they win, they force a Game 7 and keep their hopes of advancing alive. If they lose, their season is over, and the Heat will move on to the next round. It will be a tough test for the Knicks, but if they can channel Brunson’s focus and determination, they just might be able to pull off the upset.
Jalen Brunson Praises Miami Heat’s Consistency and Culture, Takes Responsibility for Knicks’ Playoff Hopes
Jalen Brunson acknowledged the difficulty of playing against the Miami Heat in the playoffs and praised their consistency as a team. The New York Knicks star emphasized the importance of his own performance in the series, stating that he needs to play better if the team wants to have a chance to win.
Despite the Knicks being behind 3-2 in the series, Brunson has been a standout player, leading the team throughout the playoffs. Many critics had previously questioned the team’s decision to sign Brunson to a four-year, $104 million contract last offseason. However, Brunson has proven his worth and then some, averaging 25.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.9 three-pointers per game on 44.6% shooting over nine playoff games.
Whether or not the Knicks win the series against Miami, Brunson has established himself as a key player for the team, and his contract looks like a smart investment for the franchise.
