Brunson silences Detroit with a lethal three-pointer and seals the Knicks' qualification

During six intense games, the Detroit Pistons earned the respect and excitement of their fans. Even in the frenzied sixth game, with two double-digit comebacks, they managed to keep hope alive in a crowded Little Caesars Arena. But with the score tied at 113 and 20 seconds left to play, Jalen Brunson appeared. The All-NBA point guard for the New York Knicks, chosen Clutch Player of the Year, executed a play that now is part of the franchise's recent history: he shook off Ausar Thompson's tight defense with a step-back and nailed a three-pointer from over seven meters with 5.1 seconds left. The shot sealed the game (116-113) and the series (4-2), sending New York to the Eastern Conference semifinals. For the Knicks, Brunson's performance in clutch moments is no longer surprising. He led the NBA this season with 52 baskets in clutch situations. "It doesn't matter if he's missing or on fire, you can't tell. I just thought: if he gets separation, it's over," commented his teammate Mikal Bridges, who contributed 25 points in the game. Coach Tom Thibodeau praised his point guard's resilience: "What makes him special is how he responds after a miss. He never hesitates to take the next shot. He has total confidence, even under constant pressure." A lot was at stake. New York knew that allowing a seventh game, despite their experience and favored status, would have caused turmoil within the organization. The Knicks had already let significant leads slip away in previous games, and in this sixth game, they saw Detroit surpass them by 16 points in the second quarter and achieve a 20-2 run in the final quarter. Brunson not only averted that scenario; he scored 40 points and recorded his fifth consecutive game in the series with at least 30. Reflecting on the final play, he admitted being surprised by the space he managed to create against Thompson, a defender who challenged him throughout the series. Thompson, only 22 years old, chose not to review the action yet. "I probably won't watch it for a while. I have to hit the gym, get stronger. I didn't handle the contact well," he admitted. Despite the disappointment, the Pistons leave with their heads held high. They went from 14 wins last season to more than triple that this year and showed themselves as a brave and competitive opponent. But now, the challenge for the Knicks steps up a notch. They will face the defending champion Boston Celtics in the next round, who were victorious over New York in regular-season matchups. "I don't take any credit away from the Pistons, but they didn't have Boston's experience. It will be very different," Brunson warned. Still, the Knicks have an ace up their sleeve. "He's at his best when we need him the most," Thibodeau concluded. "And that's what makes him so special."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Brunson silencia a Detroit con un triple letal y sella la clasificación de los Knicks