The New York Knicks will be excited to welcome the Indiana Pacers for Game 1 of the Conference Semis on Monday, May 6. This is their second continuous trip to the second round, but this time it looks like the Knicks are the favourites. Last season, Tom Thibodeau’s men were up against a Miami Heat team that beat everything on their way to the NBA Finals. However, after overcoming the disappointment of the defeat from last season, the team once again performed well and made it to the Conference Semis.
Waiting for them in the second round are the Indiana Pacers, who have made their way to the second round after defeating the Milwaukee Bucks. Head coach Rick Carlisle motivated his troops to put their best foot forward and this helped them bag a convincing 4-2 series win. It is the first time since 2014 that the Pacers have won a Playoff series. A matchup against the New York Knicks is certainly going to be a big challenge for the young team, but if there is one thing that Indiana has proven this season, it is that they are not fazed by the stature of their opponents.
New York comes into the series after a gruelling win against the Philadelphia 76ers. They are riding high on confidence and will be looking to carry the momentum from that win into their matchup against the Pacers. Jalen Brunson averaged 35.5 PPG in the series and led the way for the Knicks. He will be looking to once again have a big impact as he has a point to prove in this series against the Rick Carlisle-led Pacers.
Jalen Brunson’s performances with the New York Knicks are proving his critics wrong
Jalen Brunson seems like an undersized guard, but his sheer will and passion to win is what make him a special player. Carrying a franchise like the Knicks on his shoulder to a second consecutive trip to the Conference Semis is not what anyone imagined him to do, but the 27-year-old has shut down his critics with his performances. He will certainly have the aspiration of taking them to the next round this season and it could very well be possible as the roster is well set up and the players on the team are the ones that complement his playing style.
The New York Knicks’ core especially has great chemistry. Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo were teammates in college when they led Villanova to an NCAA championship in 2016. They have carried that chemistry onto the Knicks and have taken leadership roles in the team. Apart from the three Villanova players, the team also has the likes of Isaiah Harternstein, Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson who have actively contributed to the team’s success.
Having a star like Jalen Brunson is a big advantage for the New York Knicks. But they have a stellar bunch of players that elevate his game. The Pacers have one of the best offensive sides in the league, but a true test of that will be against the Knicks.
