BOSTON — The NBA's best team gave Jalen Brunson everything it could. In the end, it was as if the Boston Celtics weren't trying hard enough.
The Celtics' top defenders were unable to slow down the New York Knicks point guard. They scrolled through coverage of the defense, some of which were as creative as Brunson has faced this season. Nothing could stop him from doing what he intended.
These days, that doesn't happen very often.
Brunson and the Knicks devastated Boston on Thursday. The Celtics' superficial final period cleaned up the result, with New York winning 118-109 and leading by as many as 31 points at the half. Partially thanks to another sparkler from Brunson, who fell one point short, achieving his third straight 40-point performance.
“The way he plays, the things he can do, it's definitely special,” OG Anunoby said. “He's one of the best players in the league. He's playing like an MVP. (He) should win the MVP.”
The Knicks (48-32) are third in the Eastern Conference, but could still finish anywhere from second to sixth. The East is in such turmoil that he could face any of the five teams in the first round even with two games remaining. If the bracket is settled amicably, they could win multiple playoff series.
No matter where they go, Brunson will carry them — whether it's because he's the league's fourth-leading scorer or because he's given up 35 or more points in five straight games, because he's the team's No. 1 offensive lineman. Even if it's the source, even for one game. For the second straight season, his productivity peaked in the second half.
In the era of attack, many players can score. But only a handful can bend the defense like Brunson did against the Celtics. The Celtics rolled out a catalog of strategies Thursday, but still couldn't find one that worked.
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Jalen Brunson's 'special' performance against Celtics wasn't just about numbers
