Jalen Brunson returned from a right foot injury to score 24 of his 29 points in the second half, leading the Knicks to a 130-121 home victory over the Pacers for a 2-0 lead in the NBA Eastern Conference semi-finals.
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On the anniversary of Willis Reed's dramatic emergence from the locker room before Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals to lead the Knicks to their first title, Brunson sent the Madison Square Garden crowd into a frenzy on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) when he came out to warm up at halftime after missing the entire second quarter while the Pacers surged to a double-figure lead.
He fell short of becoming the second player in NBA history to score 40 or more points in five straight playoff games, but he gave the Knicks everything they needed to move halfway to their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2000.
OG Anunoby added a career playoff-high 28 points before leaving with a left hamstring injury in the third quarter for the injury-riddled Knicks, who have already lost three key players to season-ending injuries.
But they got Brunson back and received huge efforts again from his two Villanova teammates. Donte DiVincenzo scored 28 points and Josh Hart had 19 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists for the No. 2-seeded Knicks.
Tyrese Haliburton had 34 points, nine assists and six rebounds for the Pacers, who finished the game without coach Rick Carlisle after he got two technical fouls and was ejected.
The series moves to Indiana for Game 3 on Friday and Game 4 on Sunday.
Former Knicks forward Obi Toppin added 20 points in another strong effort by Indiana's reserves, but the Pacers hurt themselves by shooting just 10 for 17 from the free-throw line.
Brunson had made a three-pointer for a 24-13 lead in the first quarter, but after Toppin made one for the Pacers on the other end, the Knicks star began waving to the bench for a substitution. That was early in an 11-0 run by Indiana to tie it, and it was tied again at 36-36 after Toppin made three free throws with 0.3 seconds remaining.
The Pacers then made 15 of 22 shots in the second quarter in Brunson's absence, outscoring the Knicks 37-27 to take a 73-63 lead.
Brunson emerged during halftime to warm up, triggering a huge roar from the fans.
Indiana's lead was 79-70 before the Knicks stormed ahead with a 14-0 run, with Brunson contributing a three-point play as New York went ahead 84-79.
Anunoby was hurt soon after, appearing to injure his hamstring while trying to finish a fast-break lay-up, but Brunson guided the Knicks through the finish with 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Australian Associated Press
