Villanova in the Pros: Jalen Brunson Scores 34 to Open Playoffs

Villanova alumnus Jalen Brunson helped the Knicks pick up a win in Game 1 of their first round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, April 19, scoring 34 points and putting on another clutch performance to help New York overcome a fourth quarter deficit.

That marked Brunson’s highest scoring output since March 7, as he missed much of the final month of the regular season with a right ankle sprain. Brunson, a starter in the 2025 All-Star Game, made 12 of 27 shots, a low mark by his standard, and added eight assists.

As per usual, Brunson put on his best performance in crunch time, scoring 12 points and helping to create seven more via assists as the Knicks put up 40 points in the fourth quarter, storming past Detroit on the way to a double digit win. Brunson put New York ahead for good amidst a 21-0 run, driving into the paint before letting loose a floating shot.

Knicks’ twammateHart, as per usual, did a little bit of everything, scoring 13 points along with seven rebounds and six assists despite picking up three fouls in the first quarter, limiting his involvement the rest of the way.

The Knicks earned the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference this season, pitting them against No. 6 seed Detroit in the opening round, a best of seven series. New York will continue their series at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 21.

Other Villanova products currently active in the postseason include Donte DiVincenzo, who scored nine points off the bench in Minnesota’s blowout win over the Lakers, and Cam Whitmore, whose postseason run with the Houston Rockets will begin at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 20.