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Indianapolis Star
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Stephen A. Smith loves his Knicks, respects the Pacers. Eastern Conference Finals gives him goosebumps
If there's one NBA franchise and fan base that won't overlook the Indiana Pacers, it's the New York Knicks. The playoff history is well-documented. But here's a quick refresher: They've met eight times previously, and the Pacers have won five of those series — three straight, including last year's Eastern Conference semifinals, with the Pacers eliminating the Knicks in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. The last time the Knicks reached the NBA Finals? They beat the Pacers in 1999 ECF. The last time the Pacers reached the NBA Finals? They beat the Knicks in 2000 ECF. You get the idea. There are few Knicks fans as loud as ESPN's Stephen A. Smith. And even he is wary of what lies in wait for New York. 'I'm almost getting goosebumps right now thinking about it... I respect Indiana, and I think Indiana can beat the New York Knicks," Smith said on Wednesday's First Take. "I'm not saying I'm picking them to do it, I'm saying they can beat the New York Knicks. Do not sleep on them. Do not underestimate them.' But Smith made it clear: This series is going seven games and he's picking the Knicks to reach the NBA Finals. 'I respect the Indiana Pacers. And even though by and large due to injuries, they did beat the New York Knicks in the semifinals last year. We can't ignore they've got experience being at the Garden, and they won that Game 7 at the Garden," Smith said. "Ain't gonna be two years in a row. Ain't going to be two years in a row they're taking the New York Knicks out. Because I think this is a 7-game series written all over it… Losing back-to-back series to the Indiana Pacers, that's not something I'm buying into at all. Jalen Brunson is the Clutch Player of the Year. Mikal Bridges, Karl Anthony-Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart. Offensively the New York Knicks are better than they were last year… "(The Pacers) deserve all the credit in the world, but again, they'll be going against the Clutch Player of the Year on his home turf. And we know this is going to be, we know this has got seven games written all over it." After the Knicks eliminated the Celtics on Friday night, Smith reiterated he thinks the series will go seven games. 'I think it's got seven games written all over it. The Indiana Pacers aren't considered elite defensively, at least by some, but they're certainly big time offensively," Smith said Friday night. "They could put some points up in bunches. And they can get stops when they need to get stops. "They are a well-balanced team. You don't look at anybody on their squad and I say 'superstar.' But they are to be big-time respected. Haliburton can ball. I don't anybody whose calling him overrated. He's not overrated. That brother can play. Myles Turner can play. Nembhard and Nesmith can play. Mathurin can play. They're well-balanced. They're exceptionally, exceptionally well-coached by a champion in Rick Carlisle, and they have no problem going up against the New York Knicks. They may have lost two or three meetings to them in the regular season, but they don't have any problem going against the New York Knicks. So the New York Knicks are going to have to show up. I think they're going to have to be more efficient offensively. I think they're going to have to be consistent defensively in order to win this series. It's got seven games written all over it. And I believe this series will come down to a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden for the right to go to the NBA Finals.' ESPN's Kendrick Perkins, who admitted to overlooking the Pacers all season ("Shame on me."), agrees the series will go the distance. 'I got Knicks in seven. Perfect opportunity for the New York Knicks to get their lick back. Hell, the Knicks took the Pacers to seven games last year and Jalen Brunson, I believe, had a fractured thumb. Josh Hart had an abdominal strain. You had OG Anunoby, he was dealing with a hamstring issue. Now those guys are healthy with the addition of a Karl-Anthony Towns and a Mikal Bridges. And we're watching right now Mitchell Robinson and Deuce McBride have been providing some spectacular minutes off the bench on both ends of the floor. "I believe this Knicks team is going to be ready for the Pacers. I'm not underestimating the Pacers. They play agenda-free basketball. They have a helluva coach in Rick Carlisle. They have a guy that's a real closer in Tyrese Haliburton, but he's not a better closer than Brunson. And I think Brunson along with Josh Hart's leadership is going to take this Knicks team to the NBA Finals. I agree with Stephen A. Smith, it's going to seven games. It's going to be a brawl for it all. But I have the Knicks winning this series in seven."
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Facing Accusation After Knicks' Loss to Celtics
For one night, the Boston Celtics didn't need Jayson Tatum (Achilles). They beat the New York Knicks 127-102 at TD Garden without their injured superstar on Wednesday to stave off elimination and bring their series deficit to 3-2. The Celtics leaned on 2024 Olympian Derrick White and '24 NBA Finals MVP Jayson Brown. The former notched 34 points (9-16 FG, 7-13 3 PT) with three rebounds, three blocks, and two assists, while the latter had 26 points (9-17 FG, 3-5 3 PT) with eight rebounds, 12 assists, and one steal. Advertisement However, fans are suspicious of referee bias after Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson picked up six fouls in 15 minutes, with five in just nine third-quarter minutes. New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11).© Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images "Five fouls called on Jalen Brunson in nine minutes, eh? Very normal, reasonable stuff," one fan said. "Brunson literally NEVER fouls out, this is hilarious," another one said. "Coming into tonight, Jalen Brunson had played 546 total games in his career. He had fouled out in 4 of them," another one said. "Tonight, he picked up 6 fouls in a 15 minute span of a playoff game to foul out." "5 fouls in 9 mins of Brunson bro they rigged him out of the game," another one said. Advertisement The 2024-25 Clutch Player of the Year was asked about the fouls after the contest, via SNY. "I'm not even gonna say anything, I'm sorry," he said. "KAT being in foul trouble is completely understandable, but Jalen Brunson getting 5 fouls in the 3rd quarter let me know the game was rigged," another fan said. "Why do we watch sports? We know it's all rigged," another claimed. "Brunson literally got FIVE FOULS called on him in one quarter. FIVE! NBA, you have some explaining to do." The Knicks and Celtics will play Game 6 at Madison Square Garden on Friday. Related: Jalen Brunson Sends Jayson Tatum Message After Injury in Celtics' Loss Related: Celtics Make Major Kristaps Porzingis Move Before Game 5 Against Knicks
New York Post
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Jalen Brunson's a hero —with turkey, broccoli rabe, peppers
He's a hometown hero. Knicks All-Star point guard and clutch playoff performer Jalen Brunson handpicked his own namesake sandwich. Three local shops were asked to craft game-winning grinders in his honor for a contest hosted by the Knicks and DoorDash. Brunson sampled each and trusted his gut — declaring the turkey confit, sweet potato and broccoli rabe on focaccia-style bread by Court Street Grocers as The Brunson — and calling it a 'slick crossover' and 'buzzer beater' that 'put the contest into overtime.' Since the Clutch Player of the Year doesn't eat cheese, bacon or beef, Ted Rosen, the culinary director at the deli, wisely decided to use turkey as the base for the undefeated hoagie. 3 The Brunson was created by Court Street Grocers, which has locations in Carroll Gardens, Williamsburg and Greenwich Village. The Knicks 'They gave us a few guidelines to follow in terms of what Jalen likes, what Jalen doesn't like, and we kind of worked within those,' Rosen told The Post ahead of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Saturday. 'It is turkey that is slowly cooked in duck fat for four or six hours, and then shredded and then we kind of make it into a patty. It's a pretty indulgent sandwich.' Captain Clutch also likes it spicy — so the sub is topped with Mama Lil's pickled peppers, pickled red onion, red pepper mayo and drizzled with a mix of Crystal Hot Sauce and honey. As he was researching a recipe fit for the Knicks' king, Rosen discovered the Villanova alum's favorite sandwich from Wawa. 3 Brunson praised his namesake sandwich as a 'buzzer beater.' The Knicks 'My go-to Wawa order is: a classic hoagie on whole wheat, with turkey, lettuce, tomato, banana peppers, chipotle mayo, honey mustard, salt, and pepper,' Brunson told New York Magazine. 'It used to be a BLT, but I don't eat pork any more, and so I just switched the bacon out for turkey. But, that's been my go-to since I was a little kid.' Rosen and the other competitors — Comfortland in Astoria and Win Son Bakery in Williamsburg — made the sandwich for Brunson in the corporate kitchen at Madison Square Garden in February. 3 Court Street Grocers boasts a plaque announcing their game-winning grinder. Court Street Grocers In late March, Rosen learned his creation had been selected when the Knicks debuted the video of Brunson's taste test on its YouTube channel. 'So it was a happy coincidence that it followed the end of the regular season and into the playoffs,' he said. The $20 sandwich is now available at all three Court Street Grocers locations — Carroll Gardens, Williamsburg and Greenwich Village. NYC food influencer Danny Mondello, known as 'Cugine,' was called upon by the Knicks and DoorDash to get Brooklynites to sample The Brunson. 'It was some real f—ing yuppie s–t. It was good though . . . It had a little kick to it,' Mondello told The Post. Mondello, who runs the handle @meals_by_cug, which boasts 1.5 million followers, held court outside the deli in Carroll Gardens, once a heavily Italian enclave. 'Carroll Gardens is a bunch of old-school Italians, so they were like, 'What the f–k is turkey confit?' But they were into it once they had it. It was overall a hit, like his f—ing three-pointer.'
New York Post
02-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Jalen Brunson's sister trolls Pistons after Knicks win: ‘Left with a 40 piece and a W'
There's no other way to put it: Jalen Brunson and the Knicks got the last laugh over the Pistons. The pot began stirring a little extra with Malik Beasley trolling Mikal Bridges on X ahead of Game 6 — responding 'Minutes?' to a Knicks fan who posted that Bridges would '[go] for 44 Thursday.' It continued with a paid billboard in Detroit reading, 'Brunson, you're a mother flopper.' Advertisement Well, after Brunson delivered the final dagger to the Pistons' season with his series-winning three-pointer in Game 6, the script has flipped with the trolling. 'Left with a 40 piece and a W,' Brunson's sister, Erica, posted to X in response to the viral billboard. 'Next time you pay to have our name up in Detroit think twice.' Advertisement Jalen Brunson pulls up for the game-winning jumper over Ausar Thompson to clinch the Knicks' series win. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post (L-R) Jalen Brunson celebrates his game-winning three-pointer with teammates OG Anunoby and Josh Hart. AP As Knicks fans know better than anyone, Brunson thrives with this kind of target on his back — and Detroit certainly provided endless shots and ammunition. Pistons center Jalen Duren was seen chirping Brunson for his foul-baiting antics earlier in the series, saying, 'You flopping motherf–ker' after Brunson drew a foul on him. Advertisement Not only that, but Pistons fans chanted 'F–k you Brunson' constantly throughout the three games in Detroit, and even had a deafening 'Flopper!' chant late in Game 6 just before Brunson ignited a run to come back and win the game for New York. Brunson finished with 40 points, particularly thriving down the stretch in the fourth quarter to close out the inexperienced Pistons. Advertisement The NBA's Clutch Player of the Year did his job time and time again. Detroit did not win a single game at Little Caesars Arena in the series. While the Knicks escaped in six games, a different beast awaits with a matchup against the Boston Celtics sitting in Round 2. Celtics fans also have a history of being quite rowdy, but they may want to be careful with poking the bear that is Brunson.
New York Times
02-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Jalen Brunson and the shot that may have saved the Knicks as we know them
DETROIT — We may never know just how important Jalen Brunson's shot actually was. That's the beauty of such brilliance. In this world, a flick of a wrist can turn gray skies crystal blue. A single basket can alter the trajectory of livelihoods, or a franchise. One person, one moment, can change the course of reality. Advertisement Kevin Durant's toe kissing the 3-point line in a Game 7 playoff matchup in 2021 against the Milwaukee Bucks sent the Brooklyn Nets spiraling. On the other end of the spectrum, Kawhi Leonard's four-bounce game winner against the 76ers in Game 7 of a second-round playoff series in 2019 led to Canada being home to the world champions for the first time ever. The difference of an inch, and history is remembered differently. On the surface, what Brunson did Thursday night in Detroit, hitting a game-winning 3 with 4.3 seconds left to help the Knicks win a bloodbath of a six-game series against the feisty Pistons, was needed to advance to the next round. It was a shot that'll live in New York's history as one of the greatest in the franchise's archives. Those two things are clear. That shot will forever be talked about. Yet, it also may have saved jobs. It may have saved these Knicks as we know them. Those things, as it pertains to this series, well, we'll never get to find out. The final points of Brunson's 40-point performance carried the weight of a franchise. For the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year, though, that's nothing new. 'He's at his best when his best is needed,' said New York head coach Tom Thibodeau, whose team edged Detroit 116-113. cap has the CLUTCH gene 🧬 — NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 2, 2025 In an alternative universe, Brunson's crossover to shake loose the tight grips of Ausar Thompson is followed by a shot that misses short. The Pistons then go on to win in regulation or overtime. That's not far-fetched to believe. After all, Detroit gave New York everything it could handle and then some, with a series that was decided by 3 points or fewer in four of the six games. From there, the series would go to a Game 7 back inside Madison Square Garden. Surely, the veteran-led Knicks who finished the regular season with 51 wins would pull out a victory over the new kids on the block, right? That could happen. It's also possible that the Pistons go into Manhattan and win on the road for the third time this series against a team that is beaten, battered and bruised. Advertisement What would be birthed from that universe is changes of some magnitude, without question. There's been whispers all season that if the Knicks lost in the first round that things wouldn't be the same next year. Maybe it's the coach, if all the parties above him feel the roster hasn't been utilized correctly. Maybe it's the front office because, after all, someone had to convince the owner that paying a luxury tax and trading the rest of the franchise's assets would lead to greener pastures. Maybe it would be both. The ties between the suits and the sideline do run deep. Owners fire people for much worse. Maybe players get traded. Maybe risks are taken. Disappointment coupled with expectations breeds change. And while you may be underwhelmed with how New York got to the second round, it did what it was supposed to do. The alternative universe is nothing to consider. 'The ball did go in, so that's all I care about,' Brunson said. Reality now takes the Knicks to Boston, where they'll face the defending champion Celtics on Monday to start the second round of the playoffs. Boston went undefeated against New York during the regular season and won three of the four games in dominating fashion. With that said, Brunson's shot in Detroit presents one more opportunity for everyone to get it right. The players get another chance to prove that they belong on the same floor. The front office gets another chance to prove that what it built can succeed. The coach gets another chance to get the most out of this roster. Knicks fans get to keep rooting on their team. New York, like it has all season, did it the hard way. It had chances to put the Pistons away sooner than six games, but it never made it easy on itself for most of the regular season, so why start now? In the end, though, the Knicks got it done. That's what matters at this stage — survive and advance. Beating an NBA team once is hard enough. Beating a team four times isn't easy, even if some make it look that way. Advertisement Who's to say changes still won't come if New York is unable to put together a competitive series against the Celtics? Anything is possible when expectations and investments are large. However, the Knicks' decision-makers don't have to worry about that now. There's still more basketball to play. Brunson's shot felt like so much more than just another game winner. It saved and revitalized a team. It allowed the fans to still have something to believe in. Thursday in Detroit was Captain Clutch's most important performance yet, even if he didn't know it in the moment. Brunson may have saved these Knicks as we know them.
