Rising star Jalen Brunson fires… and exposes old team’s $82m ‘blunder’ — NBA Playoffs Wrap

Look away, Dallas followers.

Former Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson scored 29 factors because the New York Knicks took a commanding 3-1 collection lead with a 102-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers within the NBA playoffs on Monday [AEST].

Brunson drained 5 three-pointers and completed with six assists and 6 rebounds to impress a raucous Madison Square Garden.

The consequence leaves the Knicks needing only one win from three video games to advance previous the primary spherical of the Eastern Conference playoffs for the primary time since 2013.

It was additionally yet one more reminder of what may have been for the Mavericks, who let Brunson stroll in free company final summer time.

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Dallas proprietor Mark Cuban earlier this month claimed the Mavericks didn’t have an opportunity to barter with Brunson earlier than he signed a four-year, $104 million cope with the Knicks.

In reality, Cuban shifted the blame onto Brunson’s father Rick, claiming issues “went south” when he took over the contract negotiations.

Although Jalen Brunson revealed final month in an interview with Bleacher Report that he wished to remain put and would have finished so for half of what he signed with the Knicks for.

“There were two times that I thought we had offers on the table before the season, and then around, I think December or January, they looked the other way,” Brunson mentioned.

“They had every right in the world to do so. I don’t blame them for making any business decisions. That’s on them.

“… I wanted that role of being with the Mavericks for the long haul of my career,” Brunson mentioned. “I truly loved that place.”

The Mavericks may have saved Brunson for $55 million ($A82m) over 4 years however as an alternative misplaced the guard, later needing to make up for the error by buying and selling for Kyrie Irving.

Now Brunson is exhibiting simply what the Mavericks are lacking out on and on the most important stage, main the Knicks in factors, assists and steals this playoffs.

“Jalen Brunson, still, after this whole season, underrated,” Michael Wilbon mentioned on ESPN final week.

“If you are the Dallas Mavericks front office, and you’re watching any of this, you have to just feel stupid. To let that kid go, just entering the prime of his career, just ramping up. That’s amazing. He is tremendous.”

New York, which scored a dominant 99-79 victory in sport three, seemed poised for one more huge win after roaring to a 15-point lead within the second quarter.

But after the Knicks led by 9 factors at half-time, Cleveland fought again with a giant third quarter, outscoring the hosts 26-19.

That helped the Cavs sneak right into a slender lead late within the third, however a sustained rally by the Knicks within the fourth settled a pulsating contest.

Brunson was certainly one of 4 gamers in double figures with R.J. Barrett offering offensive assist with 26 factors.

Josh Hart added 19 whereas Mitchell Robinson chipped in with 12 factors and 11 rebounds to depart the Knicks firmly heading in the right direction for an Eastern Conference semi-finals showdown with both Milwaukee or Miami.

Darius Garland led the Cleveland scoring with 23 factors however Donovan Mitchell had a sport to overlook after ending with simply 11 factors. The Cavs playmaker was restricted to only two factors within the second half.

The collection now heads again to Cleveland for sport 5.