Knicks’ Jalen Brunson gets timely assist from legendary Villanova coach Jay Wright
With their backs against the wall in Game 5, the New York Knicks started to show signs of life en route to a 112-103 win. Jalen Brunson led the way with 38 points (12-of-22), nine rebounds, and seven assists in 48 minutes (!).
The point guard’s been dealing with a sore right ankle that he’s reportedly been receiving treatment for around the clock, but he didn’t let that stop him. Maybe it was all because his coach from Villanova was finally in attendance to watch him, Josh Hart, and Kyle Lowry. Jay Wright didn’t bring much luck to Hart, who picked up three fouls in the first quarter (including a flagrant one) and recorded only two points and two rebounds in nine minutes.
However, Brunson is the one who publicly called out Wright after New York’s Game 2 win. Although the guard has never been one to crumble under pressure, he made sure to put on a show for the coach that he won two national titles with.
If there’s any way that Wright can make it to Miami on Friday for Game 6, that’d be great.
Jay Wright walked with Jalen Brunson in a hallway at the Garden as Brunson made his way to the press conference room. Last week, Brunson publicly called out Wright - his coach at Villanova - for not attending a Knick game. Wright had great timing; Brunson had 38 pts in G5 win.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 11, 2023
Former Villanova coach Jay Wright finally attends Knicks game to watch Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart
Jay Wright has made it clear that he doesn’t have a rooting interest in the series with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart on one side and Kyle Lowry on the other, but the legendary coach did Knicks fans a favor by showing up to the Garden.
Brunson was close to matching his playoff career-high of 41 points, which he recorded in the 2022 postseason against the Jazz when he shot 60% from the field and from three. If Brunson would’ve reached 40 in Game 5’s win, he would’ve become the first Knick since Carmelo Anthony in 2012 to score 40+ points in a playoff game. Ironically enough, Melo did so in an elimination game against Miami to guide New York to an 89-87 win.
Hey, who knows, if the Knicks force a Game 7 and Jay Wright can make it back to MSG, Brunson may hit the 40-point mark. As Brunson has said, though, New York is taking it one quarter at a time. Next up – the first 12 minutes of Game 6.
