The New York Knicks kept their playoff hopes alive Wednesday night, getting past the Miami Heat in Game 5, 112-103.
With the season on the line, they needed every minute from guards Jalen Brunson and Quentin Grimes to extend the series.
The Knicks took control of the game during the third quarter, leading by as many as 19 points. However, the Heat were able to cut the lead down to 2 with 2:37 remaining with a barrage of threes.
The Knicks eventually held on to their slim lead thanks to a crucial putback from Isaiah Hartenstein and free throws from RJ Barrett.
Jalen Brunson and Quentin Grimes Play Every Minute in Crucial Game 5
Jalen Brunson was again brilliant offensively, dropping a near triple-double for 38 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. The 26-year-old guard is the first Knicks to reach those numbers in the postseason.
The former Villanova Wildcat followed up from a great Game 4 performance, where he had a double-double with 32 points and 11 assists.
Grimes, a second-year guard, stepped up in the continued absence of sixth man Immanuel Quickley due to a sprained ankle suffered in Game 3. Quickley also missed Game 4 of the series.
The 23-year-old Grimes made a huge defensive play on Heat star Jimmy Butler with less than two minutes remaining in the game, stealing the ball to seal the victory for the Knicks. He finished with 8 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds.
The Knicks hope to keep their season alive again as they play the Heat in Game 6 this Friday at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
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