In the thrilling season finale, the New York Knicks secured a 120-119 victory over the Chicago Bulls in overtime, earning them the No. 2 seed in the NBA’s Eastern Conference playoff standings. Jalen Brunson delivered an outstanding performance with 40 points and seven assists, while Donte DiVincenzo contributed 25 points, including five three-pointers, in 52 minutes of play. Despite DeMar DeRozan’s impressive 30-point effort for the Bulls, he missed a crucial shot in the final seconds that could have given Chicago the lead.
This win marked a significant milestone for the Knicks as it was their 50th victory of the season – a feat they had not achieved since the 2012-13 season. Brunson’s exceptional performance tied him with Patrick Ewing for second place on the team’s list of players with the most 40-point games in a single season. Moreover, Brunson’s average of 28.7 points per game tied him with Carmelo Anthony for third place on this list. The Knicks will now face either Philadelphia 76ers or Miami Heat in their first round playoffs, depending on how they perform in their upcoming play-in tournament matchup against Orlando Magic or Indiana Pacers.
