TORONTO — The clutch gene, as Paul Pierce referred to as it, may not present up on a DNA check. However Jalen Brunson handed the attention check.
He’s a service and stated it comes from his mom, Sandra.
“She retains me targeted, she retains me grounded,” Brunson stated. “My dad pushed me to be the very best participant I will be. In order that they evened it out.”
For a second straight recreation on a second straight night time, Brunson got here via when it mattered most — when the Knicks wanted two pivotal buckets within the last minute of Tuesday’s 121-115 victory over the Raptors.
His trey with 25.8 seconds remaining, drained coolly as the sport’s last bucket, prompted a collective groan from the Canadian crowd.
It felt like a mirrored image from the night time prior in MSG, when Brunson strapped on his cape and carried the Knicks via crunch time to beat the Rockets.
New York has its nearer — cool, calm, collected.
“Confidence,” Brunson stated. “As a result of if I fail, you study from it. Very assured in conditions, and it’s one thing I needed to study from a younger age and never be afraid to fail.”
The remainder of the night felt like only a common night time for Brunson, who dropped 28 factors on 10-for-21 taking pictures. Karl-Anthony Cities had carried the torch for the primary half, serving to the Knicks construct a 23-point lead by the third quarter.
However taking part in with out injured OG Anunoby, they allowed that benefit to dwindle to at least one with about three minutes remaining.
That’s when Josh Hart related on consecutive layups — the primary off a putback, the second in transition.
Then Brunson took over. Once more.
“I believe confidence comes out of your preparation,” Tom Thibodeau stated, including that he believes the clutch gene is an actual trait present in his level guard. “And his means to get to the spots on the ground that he needs to get to, he’s not counting on strictly athleticism though he’s extra athletic than folks notice, he’s stronger than folks notice. However he modifies speeds extraordinarily properly and he’s received a terrific base. When he takes a shot, his steadiness is terrific. He can get to the spots he needs to get to. He’s not afraid, however I believe that’s most likely the most important factor. I believe the boldness is a byproduct of his work.”
The win was the seventh in eight video games for the Knicks (34-17), who’ve three days off earlier than Saturday’s marquee matchup in opposition to the Celtics. Cities dropped 27 factors with 20 rebounds — although he solely had seven factors and 5 boards within the second half.
“They fought again,” Cities stated. “They hit pictures, too, once they needed to hit pictures, so credit score to them. Shout-out to our staff. Once more, simply discovering a approach to win and combating via all of the adversity.”
There have been some trappings of a schedule loss. The Knicks have been taking part in on the second night time of a back-to-back after that thrilling victory over the Rockets, a top-tier NBA opponent.
Their finest defensive participant, Anunoby, didn’t make the journey due to a foot sprain. Mikal Bridges, their iron man and minutes chief, appeared on the damage report for the primary time this season with a sore ankle, the results of stepping awkwardly on a Rockets defender on Monday.
He nonetheless began at taking pictures guard, logging his 525th straight recreation whereas scoring 17 factors in 41 minutes.
The Raptors (16-34), although a disappointment this season, had been taking part in properly just lately with eight wins of their earlier 10 video games.
The Knicks confirmed no hangover signs within the first half, utilizing a surge within the second quarter to take a 17-point lead on the break.
However the Raptors, taking part in with out former Knick RJ Barrett (concussion), stored chipping away.
They almost snatched victory at house, till Brunson’s clutch gene was activated.
“That’s what he does, man,” Cities stated. “Get to look at his present on the courtroom. That’s the very best seat in the home. If you get to see [Brunson] do what he does, it’s a particular factor.”