Villanova Knicks Mount Another 20-Point Comeback: Mikal Bridges the Hero

The Villanova Knicks mounted another furious comeback on Wednesday, May 7, taking a 2-0 series lead against the heavily favored Boston Celtics.

This marked the second time in as many games that New York erased a 20 point deficit, the only team in NBA playoff history to achieve that feat. Naturally, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson, the trio of players that contributed to two Villanova national championships in three years, played a massive role in the comeback.

Former Wildcats contributed 25 of the Knicks’ 30 points in the final frame. Mikal Bridges scored all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter as New York reeled off a 21-2 run: they trailed 84-68 with 8:40 to play before eking out a 91-90 win. Down a point with 12.1 seconds remaining, Jalen Brunson drew a shooting foul and nailed both of his free throws to put the Knicks ahead. Just as he did in game 1, Bridges sealed the win with a steal, snatching the ball away from Celtics’ star Jayson Tatum as he cocked back for a shot.

Brunson scored an uncharacteristically low 17 points but was money in the clutch, scoring nine points in the fourth quarter… not to mention the game-winner. He also added seven assists, while Hart led the field with 23 points.

The series now heads to New York, where the Villanova Knicks will host the next two games.