Jalen Brunson dropped 35 in a 39-point Game 1 demolition of the Philadelphia 76ers, but he refused to let the New York Knicks' record-setting run frame the conversation in his postgame presser. The point guard was instead pulled toward smaller things — what OG Anunoby has done from three, why Mikal Bridges is finally finding rhythm, and why "attention to detail" is the cliche he keeps coming back to.
The Knicks have now won four straight playoff games, putting up record offensive numbers in the process. Asked whether the team was peaking at the right moment, Brunson would not bite.
"I hope not," Brunson said.
The more interesting answers came when reporters pivoted to the supporting cast. Mikal Bridges had endured a brutal stretch earlier in the postseason — including a scoreless first half in the previous round that drew rare criticism from Stephen A. Smith. Brunson was direct about Bridges' rebound across the last two games.
"He's a huge factor for us and he's been playing great. Obviously there's times throughout the season for every player when there's ups and downs, but he stays mentally strong. He stays mentally focused, comes in to work, does his work, does his routine and all that stuff. So as long as you keep chipping away, things are going to fall in your favor," Brunson said.
The shift from a back-to-back losing stretch in the previous round to a four-game stranglehold over the Sixers was, for Brunson, mostly a matter of professionalism rather than scheme.
"I just feel like our focus has been better. Our attention to detail has been better. I think those two are very important for us. And we got to continue to do so. Yes, it's turned into obviously big wins, but those attention to detail things are going to help us in the close ones as well. And we got to continue to stay focused," Brunson said.
The scouting question that defined the night was OG Anunoby. Anunoby has shot 23-of-30 from three over his last three playoff games — 60 percent from deep at exactly the moment New York needs it. Asked whether this was the best he had seen Anunoby play offensively, Brunson did not equivocate.
"Probably. Yeah," Brunson said.
He expanded when pressed on what is allowing Anunoby to operate at that level beyond the three-point shotmaking.
"I think the way he's been able to create space, the way he's been attacking and doing those things have been a key factor for him. Obviously he's knocking down shots, but he's just playing real aggressive playing. Really, really downhill. He's creating havoc and he's making good decisions," Brunson said.
The pick-and-roll involving Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns has been the Sixers' nightmare of the series so far. Brunson was asked whether he was surprised at how easily he found his spots in Game 1 against schemed-up coverages.
"Most importantly, the ball was going in and I got a rhythm. My teammates did a good job of setting screens and getting me open. Regardless of what they do, I think it's important for us to do what we do at a high rate, at a high level. So when I say focusing on the attention to detail stuff, that's both offensively and defensively as well," Brunson said.
The final thread — the Sixers swapping defenders on Brunson, who hit shots over each one — drew a small smile but no celebration. Game 2 returns to Madison Square Garden, and if Brunson's body language is any indication, the Knicks intend to treat it like the win column resets to zero.
