Despite a bad performance from the main point guard Jalen Brunson, the New York Knicks managed to win 111-104 in Game One against the Philadelphia 76ers.
When asked postgame about the fourth quarter, Brunson told Rebecca Harlow just two words: “Deuce McBride.”
He’s talking about Miles “Deuce” McBride, New York’s backup point guard, who scored 21 points during the first game of the playoffs.
The 23-year-old guard only played 28 out of 48 possible minutes, but had the team’s best plus-minus grade at +37.
Each of McBride’s 5 threes were well-timed, with his last one giving the Knicks a five-point lead with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter.
After only scoring 3 points in eight playoff appearances last year, the third-year guard is the main reason New York is leading in the first-round series against the 76ers. But he’s not surprised.
“This doesn’t surprise me,” McBride told reporters after the game. “I learned from last year and tried to be impactful, doing whatever I can to help the team win.”
But it wasn’t just McBride who did well in this game.
Brunson Acknowledges Teammates
Harlow then asked Brunson about Josh Hart‘s 4-made three-pointers in the Game One win, a season-high and his most in a game since February 2023.
“I have the best teammates ever, man,” Brunson told Harlow in the postgame interview for MSG.”They consistently step up. So nothing surprises us. He played exceptionally well tonight.”
Hart only made 10 of 32 three-pointers in the 2023 playoffs. He starts his 2024 postseason by making 4 of 8.
Lastly, he was asked about Mitchell Robinson, who played his best game since returning from an ankle injury on March 27.
“They came in and played hard. They did their job. We have to give them a lot of credit; that’s a good team over there. This is far from over. We have to keep fighting. We can’t get complacent. I’m just happy we came away with a win today.”
Robinson ended the night with 8 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks, 1 assist, and 1 steal in 30 minutes of play.
It’s his first game with 30 or more minutes on the court since December 1.
He and starting center Isaiah Hartenstein had a combined total of 12 offensive rebounds, more than the entire Philadelphia team (9).
Robinson informed reporters after the victory that “This is the playoffs, it’s a tough battle. You have to go out there and fight for your life.”
Brunson: ‘They Had a Great Game Plan’
When asked about his off night in Game One, Brunson told reporters that the 76ers deserved credit for their great defense.
“It’s excellent defense.” He told SNY. “And they had a great game plan. And I have to go back to the drawing board and be better. But I believe, the one thing I just kept turning the page, knowing that things would be better. I have to have a short-term memory when things like that happen. Honestly just gotta give them a lot of credit.”
He finished the night with 22 points, shooting 8 for 26 from the field, making just over 30 percent of his shots.
Based on information Stathead, Brunson has never scored less than 25 points when taking 25 or more field goals in a game.
The 76ers will play one more game at Madison Square Garden in New York before heading to Games Three and Four on the road.
They will hope for Brunson to adjust before leaving their home court.
