MEMPHIS — Given his moniker of “Captain Clutch,” Jalen Brunson would’ve been forgiven if he forced that final sH๏τ.
He may have converted it, too, since Brunson can’t seem to miss with the game on the line these days.
But Brunson instead made the pᴀss with the clock dwindling down, the right play under the circumstances.
The Grizzlies had hounded the point guard on the perimeter, so he drove into the paint and dished through the collapsing defense to OG Anunoby on the 3-point line.
Anunoby had enough time to set for the sH๏τ and bury a trey with 5.1 seconds remaining in Friday night’s 114-113 thrilling victory.
It became the game-winner because Ja Morant’s layup bounced out on the ensuing possession.
“I thought the pᴀss was the right play, and it was a great play,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “OG, he was right and ready, great sH๏τ preparation and he let it fly. That was beautiful and that’s what it takes.”
Brunson had already pulled off another clutch moment, burying the go-ahead 3-pointer with 24 seconds left.
But Morant followed up with an and-1 drive over Mikal Bridges and Mitchell Robinson, giving the Grizzlies a two-point edge to set up the biggest sH๏τ of Anunoby’s Knicks career.
“Knowing that situation, the attention JB gets on that, I knew I might be open,” Anunoby said. “So just be ready.”
As a result, the Knicks swept the season series against Memphis (38-21), an impressive accomplishment considering the Grizzlies entered Friday in second in the Western Conference.
Just about a month earlier, the Knicks plastered the Grizzlies by 27 points at MSG.
It was one of their best performances of the season, and one of Memphis’ worst.
Unlike that game at the Garden, Friday night at FedEx Forum was close.
The Grizzlies led for the entire first half, but never by more than nine, and took a 3-point edge into the break.
They then locked up their first double-digit lead with 6:55 remaining in the third quarter.
But that was short-lived.
The Knicks took their first lead with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
From there, it was back and forth until Anunoby’s finish and Morant’s miss.
“You’re gonna be tested a lot of different ways, and it’s always great to win,” Thibodeau said.
With the long-awaited return of Robinson, the Knicks were at full strength for the first time this season.
But foul problems limited two of their starters and Thibodeau was forced to roll longer with his bench than usual.
Karl-Anthony Towns’ playing time was sporadic because of the foul problems, and he was out of rhythm, managing just two points in 13 minutes in the first half.
