BOSTON — There’s at all times a defender tasked with stopping Jalen Brunson. It hardly ever goes as deliberate.
Within the first spherical of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers threw their size at him, deploying Kelly Oubre Jr. and Nicolas Batum in hopes of smothering the Knicks’ All-Star guard. It labored — for a second. Brunson opened the sequence taking pictures 16-of-55 from the sphere. Then got here the avalanche: 39, 47, 40 and 41 factors on 47 % taking pictures or higher throughout 4 straight wins to ship the Sixers dwelling in six.
The Indiana Pacers tried subsequent. They leaned on Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard to include him in Spherical 2. However it was damage — not protection — that slowed him down. Even whereas hampered, Brunson averaged practically 30 factors per recreation in a hard-fought sequence loss.
The newest instance? Detroit’s defensive standout Ausar Thompson. A second-year wing billed as one of many league’s high stoppers, Thompson drew the task in Spherical 1. Brunson averaged 31.5 factors within the sequence — and with the season on the road, broke Thompson’s ankles and buried a game-winning three to ship the Knicks by.
And now? His greatest check but.
The reigning champion Celtics constructed their backcourt round protection. Jrue Vacation and Derrick White should not Thompson, Nesmith, or Oubre. They’re perennial All-Defensive candidates, high-IQ disruptors with the size and anticipation to hassle even elite scorers.
They’re the subsequent wall standing in entrance of the participant the Knicks’ playoff hopes revolve round.
“I think the one thing that’ll be very similar [between Thompson and White/Holiday] is that they’re going to compete and be tough, play as hard as they can. I think all of them are different when it comes to defenders,” Brunson stated after morning shootaround at TD Backyard forward of Recreation 1 tipoff on Monday.
The Knicks are doing their greatest to dam out the 0-4 regular-season sweep. They imagine the playoffs reset every thing. And Brunson, particularly, gave them cause to imagine. He averaged 26.8 factors on 53% taking pictures from the sphere and 43% from deep in these 4 matchups. The yr earlier than? Practically 28 factors per recreation in opposition to the Celtics on equally environment friendly taking pictures splits.
“He’s mastered the fundamentals. He’s had size on him, He’s had small quick guys. He’s had everybody,” stated head coach Tom Thibodeau. “He’s dealt with the double teams. He knows how to create spaces, he’s not gonna fight the double teams, he’s gonna make the right play, and then he’s gonna keep moving. He knows how to get open when he’s handling the ball and he plays well off the ball as well.”
Nonetheless, Boston has dominated the matchup. The Knicks are 1-8 of their final 9 video games in opposition to the Celtics. Vacation and White have performed central roles in tilting these outcomes.
“I think defensively they’re terrific. The length, the ability to challenge shots, guard multiple positions, play very well off each other,” Thibodeau continued. “And then it’s what they turn their defense into, so we have to be aware, we have to take care of the ball. Both are great kick-ahead guys, so if you turn it over, they’re gonna make you pay.”
Boston received’t let Brunson beat them on his personal. That’s been true all season. The problem for New York’s captain is not only creating photographs for himself — it’s toggling between looking offense and producing seems for others. He struck that steadiness at instances within the Detroit sequence. Different instances, the ball caught.
And if it sticks in opposition to Boston, the Celtics will pounce.
“You don’t want to predetermine. I think for the most part just reading the game and making sure I’m making the right play at the right time,” stated Brunson. “Noticing that there are going to be a lot of eyes and so to give up the ball and make plays for others could be the play most of the time, but still being aggressive to get in the paint and make plays for myself and others I think is the key just for us to be at our best.”
Thibodeau stated Brunson’s greatness is available in stress moments. He doesn’t rise to match his opponents. He raises his commonplace when it issues most.
“We’re just out there competing. I don’t think [elite defenders] bring any type of level,” Brunson stated on Monday. “Just what’s it going to take to win? So just doing my best to give my team the best opportunity to win. There’s no extra level to it. Just what can you do to be successful to help your team win.”
The Celtics are the league’s measuring stick. White and Vacation have been introduced in for this precise cause: to stifle gamers like Brunson in video games like this. And the way the Knicks star responds might decide whether or not this sequence goes six arduous rounds — or none in any respect.
“Just from my point of view, I’ll have to be ready and be sharp,” Brunson stated forward of tipoff on Monday. “It’s a tough task at hand, and I’ve just got to be ready for it.”
