Jalen Brunson Carried The Knicks To A Game 4 Win With A 47-Point Outburst

The Knicks and Sixers met in Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon for Game 4 of their first round series, with the Sixers hoping to even up the series before it goes back to New York. The Sixers were rolling to start the game, as they jumped out to an early double-digit advantage as Tyrese Maxey continued his strong series and Joel Embiid picked up where he left off after a 50-point performance in Game 3.

The Knicks would start to claw their way back into the game, first taking advantage of Embiid going to the bench (where Philly has struggled all series) and then maintaining some positive momentum even when he came back as Jalen Brunson was in a rhythm and got the Knicks all the way back to take a lead in the second quarter.

The two teams would go back-and-forth from there, with Philly taking a two-point lead into the break. The second half followed a similar script to the first, with the Sixers again darting out to a lead thanks to Maxey and Embiid.

But once again the Knicks had an answer as Brunson continued his spectacular play, getting support from OG Anunoby on offense and Josh Hart leading the way on the boards and defensive end as New York claimed a one-point edge going to the fourth.

At that point, every Knicks fan held their breath after Brunson went to the locker room after banging knees on the final play of the third quarter. The Sixers would take advantage of his absence to start the quarter as they briefly reclaimed the lead on a Cam Payne pull-up three.

Despite leaving Joel Embiid in the game and not giving him his usual rest, the Sixers could not go on a run with Brunson out, as Hart and Anunoby led a tremendous effort on the defensive end.

When Brunson emerged from the locker room to allow the Knicks faithful to breathe a sigh of relief, he quickly got back to work and re-established a New York advantage.

While Brunson did just about everything offensively, scoring nearly half of the Knicks points, it was a full team effort on defense. The Sixers could just not get anything going in the fourth quarter, as Embiid looked gassed and refused to go inside despite being guarded by OG Anunoby throughout the fourth quarter, and the Knicks perimeter defenders denied Maxey lanes to the rim.

The Knicks certainly didn’t go run away and hide, as they had their own offensive struggles, but when they absolutely needed a bucket they were able to turn to Brunson, who the Sixers just had no answers for all game.

Brunson finished the game with 47 points (18-of-34 shooting) and 10 assists, putting forth one of the best playoff performances in Knicks franchise history — his 47 points is the most by a Knick in a playoff game ever. OG Anunoby was the best player in support of Brunson, posting 16 points and 14 rebounds, while also handling the responsibility of defending Embiid throughout the fourth quarter due to foul trouble for Hartenstein. Deuce McBride chipped in 13 off the bench, which was vital with the rest of the Knicks struggling from the field, and while Josh Hart had a rough shooting night, he still was a positive impact thanks to 15 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks.

For the Sixers, they just didn’t have enough on the offensive end down the stretch, as their stars weren’t very effective late and no one else was capable of picking up the slack. Embiid looked gassed in the fourth, playing all 24 minutes in the second half, and scored just one point in the final frame as he finished with 27 points (7-of-17 shooting), 10 rebounds, and six assists. Maxey finished with 23 points on 8-of-21 shooting, and Kelly Oubre Jr. (19 points) was the only other player to really present an actual offensive threat.

As the series shifts back to New York, the same issues present themselves for Philly. It certainly seems as though they are reliant on massive efforts from their two stars, and Embiid is clearly physically compromised right now. The Knicks have won games with and without Brunson having big games, and they get to go back home where their role players will be more comfortable. The Sixers certainly could force things back to Philadelphia for Game 6, but they will either need another 50-point type outing from Embiid or Maxey or to get something from the supporting cast that just hasn’t been there all series.