Jalen Brunson took a beating but never blinked, summoning a vintage George Gervin-like flourish in the fourth quarter to lift the New York Knicks to a Game 1 victory in the NBA Finals.
The San Antonio legend known as “The Iceman” would have appreciated the flair, even as his former city was left stunned by a 105-95 Knicks win Wednesday night, sealed with poise over the final two minutes.
Brunson poured in 13 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter as New York erased a 14-point third-quarter deficit, extending its winning streak to 12 straight playoff games, tied for the second-longest postseason streak in NBA history.
“Jalen was MVP in the second half,” New York coach Mike Brown said. “He was huge for us. He did what MVP candidates are supposed to do. He carried us home, and we put the ball in his hands and he got it done for us down the stretch.”
Brunson had a rough first half after injuring his right knee in the first quarter and his left ankle in the second.
