The New York Knicks faced off their against in-state rival in the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, and their ridiculous performance certainly caught the attention of the NBA world.
New York came into Wednesday’s game as one of the hottest teams in basketball with a six-game winning streak. The Knicks didn’t skip a beat entering this matchup, scoring 47 points in the first quarter to jump out to 18-point first-quarter lead.
Getting out to fast starts has been a trend that has greatly helped the Knicks this season. This marks the second-highest-scoring first quarter in Knicks history. The team record of 48 points in the first quarter also happened earlier this season against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
This marked the second time this season that Knicks scored at least 47 points in a first quarter. The franchise record entering the season was 45 and was passed on Nov. 13 when they scored 48 points against Oklahoma City.
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) March 2, 2023
Much of their success came from beyond the arc, hitting nine three points shots in the quarter.
The Knicks dropped 47 points on 9 threes in Q1 ☔️
They're up 47-29 in MSG.
Watch live on the NBA App
📺: https://t.co/1pomQZMAZK pic.twitter.com/14sFdarroa— NBA (@NBA) March 2, 2023
This continued into the second quarter, ultimately finishing the half with 81 points. This marks the first time since 2008 that the team has score over 80 points in the first half of any game.
Knicks 81 points in the first half is third best in franchise history and marks the fourth time that the team has scored at least 80 points in the opening half and first time since scoring 82 on Nov. 29, 2008 against Golden State. Franchise record is 84. @EliasSports
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) March 2, 2023
Much of their success came from star point guard Jalen Brunson. He finished the half with 30 points, which is a career-high in the first-half for him.
Jalen Brunson has 30 at halftime! 🏀🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Rs5sFNBXmZ
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 2, 2023
The NBA world took notice of this unreal performance by New York and are thoughoughly entertained by this Knicks team.
Knicks up 81-57 on the Nets at the half.
Jalen Brunson has 30 points on 12-of-14 shooting.
That may have been the best half the Knicks have played this millennium.
I’m 100% serious.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) March 2, 2023
Excuse me…the Knicks are doing what now?
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) March 2, 2023
It’s always been a Knicks town, Nets were just renting
— Tim Baysinger (@tim_bays) March 2, 2023
I’m not kidding, right now I want to watch the Rangers, I want to watch the Celtics, I want to watch the Devils and I want to watch the Knicks/Nets. What is wrong with me?
— David Waldstein (@DavidWaldstein) March 2, 2023
Others mentioned that Jalen Brunson was snubbed of an All-Star spot and believe that he is now taking that personally with his impressive play.
So is Jalen Brunson going to be the first All-NBA non-All-Star or has this happened before
— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) March 2, 2023
30 points for Jalen Brunson at the half
Per @StatsWilliams
9 players (the last Pascal Siakam-2022) in the last 10 years have earned All-NBA without being selected to the All-Star game.
Will Brunson join that group?
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) March 2, 2023
It’s worth repeating, how was Jalen Brunson not an All Star????
— John Jastremski (@john_jastremski) March 2, 2023
Many were critical of the move at the time of New York signing Jalen Brunson to a four-year $104 million contract this past offseason. That move now looks like a fantastic move for an increasingly impressive Knicks team that could be a threat in the Eastern Conference.
[The Comeback on Twitter, Knicks PR on Twitter]
