Jalen Brunson led a historic long-range assault, tying multiple NBA records to complete a flawless series sweep and propel New York back to the Eastern Conference Finals.
There was nothing gentlemanly about this week. The New York Knicks wiped the floor with Philadelphia 76ers on their own home court before sending them packing from the NBA playoff with a dominating Game 4 victory.
The Knicks will now advance to the Eastern Conference Finals after their 4-0 series win over the Sixers.
For more on what's next for Philadelphia, 76ers Roundtable writer Anthony Pasciolla has the recap.
New York made some early-game history as this one got started. The team’s 43-point first quarter tied the NFL record for most points scored in the opening quarter of a playoff game. They did so on the backs of an astounding display of three-point shooting.
Jalen Brunson and his team knocked down 11 first-quarter threes, which also tied an all-time playoff mark in the league.
The efficiency from long range continued as the Knicks also tied the record for most three-pointers made in the first half of an NBA postseason matchup, sinking 18 in the first two quarters before halftime.
The 144-114 win by New York advances them to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive year. Last season, they fell to the Indiana Pacers, who fell one spot short of a top-four draft pick on Sunday.
This time around, the Knicks would lock horns with either the Detroit Pistons or Cleveland Cavaliers, depending on which team advances from that series. Currently, the Pistons lead 2-1, with the Cavaliers taking the most recent game.
Whichever teams stands to meet the Knicks in the conference finals will need to have a plan ready to answer New York’s sharpshooting and the eventual boost that will come from the return of forward OG Anunoby.