Overview
- Jalen Brunson scored 35 on 13-of-19 shooting with 6-of-9 from three, including 20 in the first quarter, tying Richie Guerin for third on the Knicks’ 30-point game list with his 87th such outing.
- The game turned in the second quarter as New York held Toronto to 13 points, a stretch head coach Mike Brown called the difference in the win.
- Josh Hart added 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting with six rebounds, four assists and two steals, drawing Brown’s praise and a comparison to Andre Iguodala for his do-everything impact.
- Cameras caught Brunson responding to a courtside heckler during the first quarter, with audible exchanges including, “Why you harassing me?” and “That’s a foul. Just playing by the rules.”
- Postgame featured light moments as Brunson quipped with Udonis Haslem on the broadcast and joked he’d let the thief of Josh Hart’s watches “walk free” if he were NYC mayor; the Knicks face the Magic in Saturday’s Las Vegas semifinal.