Jalen Brunson drops 40 to lift Knicks past Pistons, clinch NBA Playoff Series 4-2

Jalen Brunson delivered a clutch 40-point performance as the New York Knicks edged the Detroit Pistons 116-113 in Game 6 of their NBA first-round playoff series, securing a 4-2 series win on Thursday night.

The 28-year-old guard nailed a game-winning three-pointer with just 4.3 seconds remaining, capping off a dramatic comeback and eliminating a spirited Pistons team that had battled back from an 11-point deficit late in the fourth quarter.

Detroit, aiming to make history as the 14th team to rally from a 3-1 series deficit, surged to a 112-105 lead with under three minutes left. However, the Knicks responded with a 11-1 run, tying the game at 113-113 after Brunson’s heroics and a missed layup by Cade Cunningham with 36 seconds on the clock.

Brunson, who also added four rebounds and seven assists, was supported by Mikal Bridges with 25 points and OG Anunoby with 22. The victory sends the Knicks to an Eastern Conference semifinal showdown against the defending champion Boston Celtics, with Game 1 set for Monday.

For the Pistons, Cade Cunningham led with 23 points, while Jalen Duren and Malik Beasley chipped in 21 and 20 points respectively. Beasley’s five first-half three-pointers helped Detroit rally from an early 14-point deficit and briefly claim a halftime lead.

Despite Detroit’s momentum in the final quarter, the Knicks’ resilience, anchored by Brunson’s decisive shooting and defense, proved too strong as they advanced to the next round.

SportsLigue