Jalen Branson (40 points) sends the Knicks to the NBA Cup finals!

THE Nix stay in las vegas! The first semifinal of the NBA Cup was the scene of a great battle, from which the Knicks eventually emerged victorious. With his 40 points and 8 assists, Jalen Brunson succeeded and could count on the precious relays of Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby to force a decision at the end of the match, where the Magic of Paolo Bunchera (25 points) had to cope without Jalen Suggs, reduced by a hip after the break.

The Magic struck first, briefly taking an 8-2 advantage fueled by 3-pointers from Jonathan Isaac and Jett Howard (32-26), but New York quickly corrected the situation, responding in the second quarter with a sharp 12-2 run to regain the lead (45-38). The deficit they managed to preserve until the break, relying on the already hot Jalen Brunson, especially to answer Jalen Suggs, also very aggressive in the attack (71-64).

OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony-Towns and Mitchell Robinson all contributed, not to mention spectacles like KAT’s huge dunk or Mitchell Robinson’s clinching alley-oop dunk. Despite everything, Orlando still held on, even to the point of getting back in front after taking a 13-2 (85-89) lead in less than three minutes.

Then Jalen Brunson took matters into his own hands. After finding OG Anunoby for a 3-pointer and then serving up Mitchell Robinson in the air, New York’s leader took charge by scoring three goals, ending his display with a 3-pointer after confusing Anthony Black on the butt. This 10-0, achieved between the end of the third and the beginning of the fourth quarter, Orlando never recovered (102-92).

Despite 3-pointers from Tyus Jones and Jasa Richardson twice, New York stayed the course until the end, with KAT in great shape to wow the Vegas crowd one last time with a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer and 2+1 after pushing Wendell Carter Jr. (119-110). Jalen Brunson’s final mid-range shot then put the Floridians well within striking distance, allowing the Knicks to win comfortably, 132 to 120.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Jalen Brunson, first! 30 points a week ago, already against Orlando, 35 in the semifinals against Toronto on Tuesday, and 40 last night for Jalen Branson, who has been the leader in this semifinal and will inevitably be expected as the No. 1 threat in the finals. We will especially remember his end of the third quarter where he almost single-handedly turned the game around with his passes and baskets. Note that this is his first 40-point game of the season. Waiting for a better Tuesday for the finals?

– Jalen Suggs on the sideline. Warrior Jalen Suggs a victim of his over-commitment, episode 254 The author of 25 points in the first half (and only one after), the Florida guard was forced to take off his leg after the break, due to a nasty fall that visibly hit him in the hip. Already in the fourth quarter, he quickly realized the facts and was forced to leave very quickly and run to the locker room, unable to keep his place on the field. We can only hope it’s not too serious for the Magic who already lost Franz Wagner last weekend, also against the Knicks.

– Advantage Knicks. This is one of the benefits of what we call a “big market,” because the Knicks have fans all over the world, as well as in the United States. And as is sometimes the case in certain NBA games, Knicks fans were there last night in Las Vegas to cheer on their team. A detail that may have been important, especially during the tight end of the match. What will happen on Tuesday in the final against the team from the West?

– Magic does not leave empty-handed. Just as the teams that ended their streak in the quarterfinals benefited from a check for $53,093 per player, the Magic were also rewarded for their progress. Any player who loses in the semifinals will indeed leave Las Vegas with $106,187 more in their account. Enough to soften the defeat at the door of the final. As a reminder, the finalists will receive $212,373 each, and the winner will receive $530,933.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.