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Jalen Brunson scripts NBA postseason history as he equals LeBron James in a ‘unique’ record after Knicks’ blowout Game 5 win over Pacers

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Satvika Deshpande | Last updated 5/15/24

Jalen Brunson is bringing the glory back to the New York Knicks in this postseason. The star took his team to a sweet victory in Game 5 and he did it in style. The Knicks are now leading 3-2 against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Brunson has now joined an elite company as he dominated the game with another incredible offensive performance. Brunson scored his fifth 40-point performance in the playoffs, which is the most by any player in a single postseason since LeBron James in 2018. James had eight during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ run to the finals.

Brunson even has a chance to stretch his record as the New York Knicks are going ahead in the postseason. He was the main man of Game 5 as he dropped 44 points while shooting 51.4% from the field, adding to his four rebounds, and seven assists. The team is only one win away from going to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Jalen Brunson now has five 40-point games this postseason, the most in a postseason by any player since LeBron in 2018 (8) pic.twitter.com/ttOl9ThdPO
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 15, 2024

The Knicks came prepared as they maintained their lead since the very first quarter. Josh Hart, Miles McBride, Alec Burks played their role to the point as the Indiana Pacers looked helpless, losing by 30 points. Now the series will head to Indianapolis for Game 6 where the Pacers are undefeated up until now.

The Knicks 30-point win does not faze Jalen Brunson

The Pacers embarrassed the Knicks at their home with a 32-point win to tie the series in Game 4. But the Knicks came out from the huge loss and replied with a similarly dominant victory to take the lead. Hence, the Knicks know better than to not take such a win for granted.

Brunson showed his great mindset in the series as he spoke about the win in the press conference. The star is not taking a single win for granted and is only focusing on the upcoming games.

One thing I've learned in the playoffs is that one game does not have any effect on the next. No matter what the situation is, whether you lose by one or lose by 30, it has nothing to do with the next game. Jalen Brunson said

"One game does not have any effect on the next. No matter what the situation is, whether you lose by one or lose by 30, it has nothing to do with the next game."

– Jalen Brunson pic.twitter.com/yk82Ibd7mJ
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 15, 2024

Despite the lead, the Pacers have given a hard time to the Knicks throughout the series. The team will certainly come out strongly in the next game, considering it is their home court. But if the Knicks win, the team will head to their first Eastern Conference Finals after 23 years.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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