Jalen Brunson and Nikola Jokic delivered heroic performances on Monday night, leading the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets to dramatic Game 1 victories in their respective NBA Conference semifinal series, MySportDab Reports.
In the Eastern Conference, the Knicks overcame a 20-point deficit to edge the Boston Celtics 108-105 in overtime at TD Garden. Brunson, fresh off a 40-point outing in the previous round, scored 29 points, including five three-pointers, to lead the charge.
OG Anunoby matched Brunson’s output with 29 points of his own, draining six threes in a game-changing performance.
Boston, the reigning NBA champions and No. 2 seed, looked dominant early, racing to a 72-52 lead in the third quarter. However, New York clawed back as Brunson and Anunoby combined for 21 points in the third, cutting the lead to single digits.
The Knicks took control in the fourth and held on in overtime, with Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns providing key baskets. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum led Boston with 23 points each.
“It was a great team win,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. “We made tough plays down the stretch.”
In the Western Conference, Denver stunned top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder 121-119 in another nail-biter. Aaron Gordon hit a clutch 25-foot three-pointer with four seconds left to seal the win after the Nuggets trailed by 14 points in the third quarter.
Jokic delivered a masterclass, scoring 42 points with 22 rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and a steal. The Serbian star scored 18 in the fourth quarter alone, helping Denver erase a double-digit deficit. Gordon added 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook contributed 21 and 18 points, respectively.
Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 33 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, but the Thunder were left to rue two missed free throws by Chet Holmgren in the final seconds.
“A lot of guys stepped up,” said Gordon. “We had poise and a belief we were going to win.”
Game 2 in both series is set for Wednesday, with the Celtics and Thunder looking to bounce back at home.
