Asked by Pistons beat writer Hunter Patterson about the challenges in guarding Jalen Brunson, Thompson said, “None.” Brunson is coming off a 34-point, 8-assist performance in Saturday’s 123-112 Knicks’ win in Game 1. He scored 23 points in the second half, and 12 in the fourth quarter after appearing to re-injure his ankle in the third period.

There has to be a reason Jalen Brunson left the bench after struggling all game, changed sneakers and immediately morphed into Superman for the fourth quarter. Or, maybe that’s just who Brunson is. Or who he’s shown us to be.

Game 1 was a test of nerve. For three quarters, Detroit refused to blink. The Knicks fell behind by as many as nine. Then the fourth quarter hit — and with it, the kind of avalanche only a veteran playoff team can summon. The Knicks unleashed a 21-0 run that flipped the game, the momentum, and the mood in the building all at once.

If ever there was a 51-win, third-seeded playoff team that could be considered a disappointment, the New York Knicks would be it. After seismic trades for Karl-Anthony Towns and M

Jalen Brunson scored 34 points, Cam Payne had 11 of his 14 in the fourth quarter and the New York Knicks stunned the Detroit Pistons with a 21-0 run in the final period to rally for a 123-112 victory on Saturday night in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.