One of the best first-round playoff series in NBA history ended with an historic performance.
With the Knicks on the verge of a second straight collapse to the 76ers — they blew a 22-point first-half lead and then an eight-point lead in the final minutes — Jalen Brunson fastened his cape and closed out the series.
Brunson finished with 41 points and 12 assists in Thursday night’s 118-115 Game 6 win in Philadelphia to send the Knicks into the second round in back-to-back seasons for the first time in 24 years.
Brunson, who had 14 points and three assists in the fourth quarter, helped break a tie with 24.4 seconds left, drawing two defenders and finding Josh Hart, who nailed a wide-open 3-pointer. Brunson hit a pair of free throws with 7.7 seconds left, before Buddy Hield’s desperation 3-pointer missed badly before the buzzer.
