Branson Makes History with Fourth Consecutive 40-Point Playoff Game as Knicks Win Opener

The New Yorkers opened the series at home with a 121-117 victory (27-24, 22-31, 33-32, 39-30), and Branson became the fourth player in NBA history to score at least 40 points in four consecutive playoff games. .

Branson scored 21 points already in the first quarter, when the Knicks were down by nine points. Before him, Jerry West, Michael Jordan and Bernard King had scored 40 or more points in four straight playoff games.

In the last quarter, “Pacers” managed to get a nine-point advantage for a while, but 93 seconds before the end of the regular time, the guests were in the lead with 115:113. A moment later, Branson equalized, while 40 seconds before the final whistle, Donte DiVincenzo put the “Knicks” in the lead with a three-point shot. The guests scored two points in the remaining time, but Branson added three accurate free throws, ensuring success with 121-117.

Donte DiVincenzo was the second leading scorer with 25 points for the winners, while Josh Hart collected 24+13 and eight assists.

Myles Turner scored 23 points in the “Pacers” team, and Pascal Siakams scored 19.

The second game of the series will take place there in New York on Wednesday, after which two matches will be played at the Pacers’ court.

In the first round of the playoffs, the Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 in the series, while the Indiana team beat the Milwaukee Bucks 4-2.

In the previous season, the Denver “Nuggets” defeated the Miami “Heat” 4-1 in the final series and won the NBA championship for the first time in history.