Down two points with 25 seconds remaining in Game 6—and the Knicks’ season on the line—floor general Jalen Brunson dribbled down the right side of the floor.
Brunson already had a game-high 39 points, but was in search of two more to knot the contest to keep New York alive for a Game 7 and a shot at the conference finals. As Brunson got past Jimmy Butler, fellow Heat defender Max Strus stepped up, forcing the 6 ‘1” Brunson to try to maneuver through a trap involving both stoppers. By the time he picked up his dribble near the right block, all five Miami defenders—knowing they didn’t need to fear the Knicks’ shooters—had at least one foot in the paint, turning that area into an impenetrable fortress.
It resulted in Brunson throwing an ill-advised shovel pass to a cutting Julius Randle that got tipped and stolen by the swarming Heat defense. Game over. Series over. Season over.
