In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Indiana Pacers went head-to-head against the Knicks’ star player, Jalen Brunson. This postseason scoring machine led the Knicks with an astonishing 43 points in the opening game, showcasing an unparalleled ability to score. Despite the Pacers narrowly claiming victory with a score of 138 to 135, Brunson’s high-efficiency performance was truly impressive, shooting an overall field goal percentage of 60%. He was also exceptional at the free-throw line, sinking 12 out of 14 attempts. Even with a few turnovers in the final moments of the game, his skills left a lasting impression.
Facing the challenge posed by Brunson, Indiana’s head coach Rick Carlisle is seen as a key figure in this matchup. Having collaborated with Brunson for three seasons at the Dallas Mavericks, he’s well aware of his development journey. Carlisle noted that he’s not surprised by Brunson’s progress, as he fully understands the player’s thirst for victory and his resilience in overcoming challenges.
Carlisle’s defensive strategy focused on wearing down Brunson’s stamina, specifically assigning the 6-foot-6 Aaron Nesmith to closely shadow him throughout the game. However, Brunson still managed to respond with agility, proving his extraordinary scoring ability. Carlisle emphasized that no matter how they adjusted their defense, Brunson’s scoring prowess remained a headache for them.
Defender T.J. McConnell of the Pacers noted that despite the team’s efforts to make Brunson’s offensive game tougher, he still showcased his all-around scoring ability. His versatile scoring style from various dimensions significantly heightened the challenge for defenders.
Adding to the headache for the Mavericks, Brunson isn’t the only threat on the court; the Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson has been phenomenal on the offensive boards, creating added pressure. Carlisle believes the team needs to show more intensity in both defense and transition offense, particularly when it comes to limiting Karl-Anthony Towns’ scoring.
As the series progresses, effectively curbing Brunson’s performance will become the Pacers’ top priority. According to Brunson’s playoff stats, he scored 43 points, 36 points, and 23 points in the first three games, which clearly shows that the Pacers need to make further tactical adjustments to stop him from scoring.
In facing Brunson, Carlisle emphasized the need for a comprehensive defensive strategy. Even if they can’t completely contain his performance, thorough preparation remains the key to victory.
