Villanova in the Pros: Jalen Brunson’s Late Game Heroics

The New York Knicks picked up an overtime win over the Miami Heat on Sunday, March 2, overcoming a 19 point second half deficit thanks to a 31 point game from former Villanova Wildcat Jalen Brunson.

Brunson played 42 minutes in the 116-112 win, making 13 of 25 shots despite an ugly 3-of-11 mark from three-point range. He also picked up five rebounds and six assists, sinking the shot that sent the Knicks to overtime on a dish from Josh Hart, his former teammate and roommate at Villanova.

Brunson then scored six of New York’s 11 points during the overtime period including a game-tying pull-up jump shot and the three-pointer that put the Knicks ahead for good.

Named an All-Star starter for the first time in his career this season, Brunson averages 26.1 points and 7.4 assists per game, both the eighth-best marks in the league.

Hart, meanwhile, posted 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Mikal Bridges, the third of the Villanova Knicks’ trio, had a tough day at the office, making two of 11 shots and playing just 28 minutes… a noteworthy low in head coach Tom Thibodeau’s demanding system. Despite his struggles, Bridges managed to facilitate the Knicks’ offense with a game-high eight assists.

Elsewhere in the NBA, former Wildcat Donte DiVincenzo excelled off the bench in his third game back from injury, showing off his lethal shooting. The 2018 Final Four Most Outstanding Player drained eight threes for 24 points,  the second-highest output of any player on the Timberwolves, helping Minnesota pick up a 116-98 road win.