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

He nodded and jawed at the player he had just outworked for the board. He pushed the ball ahead to point guard Jalen Brunson who then lulled the defense with three dribbles before finding forward ...

The Knicks won Game 6 116-113, giving them a hard-fought 4-2 series win. The Knicks advance to face the Celtics in the second round of the playoffs, starting Monday in Boston.