NEW YORK — Jalen Brunson said he was feeling the weight of expectations as he struggled to find any rhythm at the start of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Brunson, who called his play «horrific» following an 0-for-7 display from 3-point range in Game 1, started Tuesday by going 1 for 6 from the field against a Jimmy Butler-less Miami Heat squad.
But that's when Brunson looked within and turned around his bad night. «Honest to God, I started not to feel sorry for myself,» he said. «I said, 'I'm out here and just let's go hoop.' That's pretty much it.» • 'Crazy, no cap': 76ers steal Game 1 • Goldsberry: Clear fave for champion? • Why the time is now for James Harden • Stars call out Steph's 50-point game • Knicks-Heat, their classic NBA rivalry • More: Schedule, news | Experts' picks He did just that, finishing with 30 points, while knocking down crucial shots down the stretch as the Knicks collected a series-tying 111-105 victory before heading to Miami for Game 3 on Saturday.
Yet again during this postseason, the Knicks followed the lead set by the 26-year-old point guard. «That's who he is, great leader, great toughness,» Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. «He never disappoints you.