MIAMI — Jalen Brunson actually had an excellent season till the bitter finish, however the Knicks’ different high gamers couldn’t do almost sufficient Friday evening to assist him hold the season alive.
Brunson adopted up his 48-minute masterpiece two nights earlier with 41 factors in 45 minutes, however the Knicks obtained little manufacturing from Julius Randle and RJ Barrett in a season-ending 96-92 loss to the Warmth in Recreation 6 at Kaseya Middle.
Except for Brunson, who completed 14 of twenty-two from the sector, the opposite 4 Knicks starters shot a mixed 15.6 % (5-for-32) —together with 20 of 24 misses by Randle (15 factors) and RJ Barrett (11) — because the Knicks fell to 0-15 of their historical past when trailing 3-1 in a best-of-7 playoff sequence.
Jimmy Butler scored 24 factors and Bam Adebayo had 23 with 9 rebounds in one other dominant inside efficiency for the Warmth, who will face the winner of Sunday’s Recreation 7 between the Celtics and the 76ers subsequent week within the Jap Convention Finals.
The Knicks have been down one early within the fourth quarter, however an Adebayo jumper and a triple by Max Strus (14 factors) made it an 82-76 recreation with beneath seven minutes to play.
Brunson’s fifth 3-pointer in 10 makes an attempt received the Knicks inside three with 3:17 remaining however Butler sank a jumper and Strus one free throw for a 90-84 lead.
Mitchell Robinson sank two free throws for his solely factors of the sport, however Adebayo’s slam on the different finish made it a six-point recreation once more with 1:05 to go.
Nonetheless, Brunson received knocked throughout the face by Gabe Vincent for a Flagrant 1 with 59.5 seconds remaining, and he sank each technical free throws, with the Knicks additionally sustaining the ball.
Brunson drove and located Josh Hart slicing to the basket to trim the deficit to 2, however after a defensive cease, Brunson was known as for an offensive foul and Butler nailed each free throws with 14.4 seconds remaining.
Even with Brunson’s arrival final summer time by way of free company, odds-makers had the Knicks with an over-under win complete of 38 coming into the season.
They completed the 82-game slate with a report of 47-35, their second-most over the previous 22 seasons.
