Jalen Brunson credited composure and team confidence as critical factors in the New York Knicks’ dramatic 91-90 comeback win over the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Brunson, who struggled with his shot throughout the night, emphasized mental clarity and a short memory when asked how he delivered in key late-game moments again. “You can’t really worry about what happened previously in the game,” he said. “It’s all about just focusing, having a clear mind and just trying to win the game.”
New York rallied from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit, sparked by defensive stops and timely rebounding, which Brunson said were just as vital as scoring. “We just got to give each other confidence when we go through stretches like that and keep fighting,” he noted, referencing back-to-back games where the Knicks fell behind early.
Josh Hart echoed that sentiment, saying, “When you’re not making shots, you got to find ways to impact the game.” He pointed to rebounding and defensive plays as momentum changers, calling them “inspiring” to teammates and citing Brunson’s leadership in close finishes: “We’re very comfortable because we got Captain Clutch.”
Brunson also praised Karl-Anthony Towns, who delivered 21 points and 17 rebounds, calling him “one of the best teammates we have” and stressing how his energy lifts the squad. “What he does doesn’t go unnoticed,” Brunson said.
The Knicks’ defense held Boston to just 17 fourth-quarter points, and Mikal Bridges’ late-game steal on Jayson Tatum secured the win. Though Bridges was scoreless through three quarters, Brunson said his ability to rise in those moments dates back to their college days. “It was more mental than anything,” Brunson said. “He has the ability to block out the noise.”
Despite five consecutive road playoff wins and a 2–0 series lead, Brunson remained cautious. “Nowhere close to being done,” he said. “Just keep making sure our mindset is the same.”
Hart also dismissed comparisons to last year’s squad, insisting this group must find its own path. “This team’s different from last year’s team. Nothing wrong with that,” he said.
Brunson acknowledged the visible excitement among Knicks fans but made clear the team’s focus remains internal. “We see what happens after games… but we’re just going to focus on us,” he said.
New York will look to extend its series lead on Saturday when the matchup shifts to Madison Square Garden.
