Villanova in the Pros: Jalen Brunson Sends Knicks to Semifinals

Villanova alumnus Jalen Brunson netted the game-winning three-point shot on Thursday, May 1, propelling his Knicks to the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a 40 point outburst.

Beginning from the logo, the game tied 113-113 with less than ten seconds to play, Brunson dribbled to the left before cutting back, giving himself space as he threw Pistons’ wing Ausar Thompson off the scent as he drove to the top of the key, unleashing a three that put the Knicks ahead with 4.3 seconds to go. Playing on the road, Brunson blew a kiss to the home crowd in Detroit as he sent the Pistons packing.

in case you missed it:

the @jalenbrunson1 double bang™ pic.twitter.com/yo194xRVEw

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 2, 2025

Fellow Villanova alumnus Mikal Bridges played a pivotal role in the win, scoring 25 points with four rebounds and three assists. He also put the Knicks in position to win the game, tying things up on a tip shot off a Brunson miss with 35.1 seconds left; Josh Hart added a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and four assists as former Wildcats accounted for more than 65 percent of New York’s points scored.

This marked the fifth time in the six game series that Brunson scored at least 30 points, with fourth quarter heroics aplenty for the seventh-year guard, named the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year for his ability to step up when it matters most. Brunson also notched seven assists on the night.

The Knicks advance to face the No. 2 seeded Boston Celtics, with the beginning time of that series not yet announced. Other Villanova alumni active in the playoffs include Donte DiVincenzo, whose Timberwolves moved to the second round with a 4-1 gentleman’s sweep of the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers, and Cam Whitmore, playing sparsely for a Houston Rockets team facing a 3-2 series deficit.