Things looked bleak for the New York Knicks when season-long MVP Jalen Brunson missed the entire second quarter with an injury.
But when Brunson returned in the second half, the Knicks recovered and beat the Indiana Pacers 130-121 in Game 2 to take a two-game lead in the second-round NBA playoff series.
With Brunson’s efforts, New York overturned a 10-point deficit at halftime. Although he failed to score more than 40 points in five consecutive playoff games, he once again led the Knicks in scoring.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York City ) (age 11) gestures after making a three-pointer. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Brunson made 11 of 18 shots and 3 of 6 three-pointers, scoring 29 points while dishing out 5 assists and 3 steals.
“Honestly, I’m glad I did it. We found a way,” Brunson told TNT after the game about returning to the game.
Madison Square Garden didn’t understand why when Brunson walked out, which led to murmurs from the raucous Knicks fans. That’s when the Pacers began to change the tone of the game, beating the Knicks with fast breaks and open three-pointers. They won the second quarter 37-27 and scored 73 points in the first half.
Knicks announce Mitchell Robinson may miss remainder of playoffs with ankle ‘stress injury’
Tyrese Haliburton was a key factor in the Pacers’ offense as his offense was much better than in Game 1, where he took six total shots and scored just six points . Haliburton made 7 three-pointers, including 5 in the first half, and scored a game-high 34 points.
But MSG erupted when Brunson came out to warm up with a few minutes left in halftime, and after testing that foot, he told head coach Tom Thibodeau he was ready to get back out there.
Indiana Pacers No. 1 Obi Toppin during Game 2 of the 2nd round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against New York at Madison Square Garden on May 8, 2024 in New York City Catch a game at a Knicks game. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Knicks eventually outscored the Pacers 36-18 in the third quarter and regained the lead entering the fourth quarter.
While the Pacers held on, Brunson and the Knicks continued to do what they do best: get the ball to their star point guard, grab offensive rebounds and close out big games.
Now, while Brunson does return, the Knicks don’t come into this game without some bad injury news.
OG Anunoby scored 28 points on 10 of 19 shooting. He was sprinting down the court looking for a fast break opportunity, but he limped around the basket. The Knicks have ruled him out for the remainder of the game with left hamstring soreness, and they certainly hope that doesn’t persist into Friday’s third road game.
The Knicks were already without Mitchell Robinson, who found himself re-injuring his ankle that sidelined him for 50 games in the regular season. He will likely miss the rest of the playoffs.
But as Thibodeau said before the fourth quarter, the next guy has to step up. Donte DiVincenzo scored 28 points on 10-for-20 shooting and 6-for-6 from 3-point range, while Isaiah Hartenstein had 12 rebounds and 14 points. Josh Hart also led the rebounding charts with 15 points and scored 19 points.
New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson (11) during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York City Running down the court after scoring against the Indiana Pacers. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Click here to get the Fox News app
For the Pacers, Andrew Nembhard scored 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting, while Obi Toppin scored 20 points off the bench against his former team. When Brunson returned to the defensive side of the ball in the second half, TJ McConnell was also pestering him. Offensively, he scored 10 points and a team-high 12 assists.
The series now heads to Indianapolis, where the Pacers fall to two games and one loss at home while the Knicks battle through injuries to win one more game at home.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to Fox News Sports Gathering Newsletter.
