Brunson had a potential game-winning shot rim out in the final seconds. If it had gone in, New York likely would have claimed a 102-100 win. Instead, it was pushed to overtime where the Knicks would eventually prevail.

The final points of Brunson's 40-point performance carried the weight of a franchise and avoided an alternate universe.

And certainly, it was Josh Hart, the Knicks' do-it-all wing whose energy and effort never wanes on the court. Brunson was sure to credit that effort which helped the Knicks erase a 20-point third-quarter deficit to win Game 1 on the road.