Jalen Brunson, the New York Knicks’ All-NBA guard and Clutch Player of the Year, delivered a jaw-dropping 43 points in a 121-117 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers on May 21, 2025, in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden. Despite his fifth 40-point game of the season and second in the playoffs, Brunson’s heroics couldn’t overcome Indiana’s late surge, ending the Knicks’ deepest postseason run since 2000. Posts on X lauded Brunson’s relentless drive, with fans calling him the “heart of New York,” though some questioned coach Tom Thibodeau’s rotations as foul trouble sidelined the star. The defeat marks a bittersweet close to Brunson’s transformative season, raising questions about the Knicks’ future.
Brunson dominated inside the arc, scoring 16-of-27 field goals and 7-of-8 free throws, adding five rebounds, six assists, and a steal in 42 minutes. His fifth foul with 10 minutes left in regulation forced a six-minute bench stint, disrupting New York’s rhythm as Indiana erased a 15-point deficit. Back for the final five minutes, Brunson powered six of the Knicks’ 10 overtime points, but his game-tying three-pointer in the closing seconds rimmed out, sealing the loss. “He’s a warrior,” teammate Karl-Anthony Towns said, echoing posts on X praising Brunson’s clutch DNA, evident in his 39-point, 12-assist Game 4 win over Boston.
The 28-year-old’s playoff brilliance—averaging 32.4 points across 13 games—cemented his status as New York’s cornerstone. His three-year extension, signed last summer, sacrifices max money for team flexibility, a move analysts like Anil Sharma praise as “selfless leadership.” Brunson’s corrected Clutch Player trophy, finally engraved with his name, symbolizes his grit, much like the Knicks’ identity, built in his image. Yet, critics point to Thibodeau’s failure to adjust when Brunson sat, noting Indiana’s 21-6 run in that span. “Game 7s demand adaptability,” said analyst Priya Desai, questioning whether over-reliance on Brunson exposed roster depth issues.
The loss stings for Knicks fans, who saw Brunson’s 40-point Game 6 against Detroit and 39-point Game 4 against Boston fuel a 3-1 lead over the Celtics. His ankle injury recovery in Game 4 against Detroit, scoring 15 fourth-quarter points, underscored his resilience. Posts on X reflect pride in Brunson’s growth from a 2023 60-point regular-season peak to a playoff legend, though some lament the missed Eastern Conference Finals berth, last reached in 1999 when his father, Rick, played for New York.
