Have the New York Knicks made a statement? Jalen Brunson responds

On a night when the New York Yankees started their first World Series game in 15 years, the New York Knicks might have hit the biggest home run.

Eager to make up for Tuesday's loss in Boston, the Knicks went full throttle in their home opener Friday night. That solidarity led to a 123-98 victory over the Indiana Pacers in their first appearance of the season at Madison Square Garden and an easy revenge against the visitors who infamously ended New York's final playoff round last spring.

When asked by MSG Network's Alan Hahn if the contest was “a statement,” Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson suggested that rebounding in front of a supportive home crowd made Friday's game a little more satisfying as the team continued to play have an upward trend.

“If that’s what you want,” Brunson said. “But I'll just say this: For us to come back after (Tuesday), I mean turn the page, we have to continue to get better every day, but this is a step in the right direction for us.”

Brunson scored a game-high 26 points in front of an “electric” MSG crowd en route to his first win under his captaincy. Pascal Siakam's conversion of a missed shot into a coast-to-coast finger roll that sank despite numerous uncharged contacts served as a de facto turning point: While Brunson didn't score an and-one, he ignited a 15-8 run to close out the stretch the Knicks have a permanent double-digit lead.

“I already knew how talented he was,” Karl-Anthony Towns said of Brunson after his MSG debut in a video by SNY’s Ian Begley. “(It’s) just a matter of letting him do what he does best and getting out of his way. (I’m) blessed that we have the chance to call him Cap.”

But Friday's game will undoubtedly be remembered for the way the Knicks' new and old forces came together to pull off a remarkable victory.

Brunson's former and current teammate Mikal Bridges was perhaps the undisputed star of the night: his two-way game was on full display with 21 points on 8 of 12 shooting, while he contributed to an outstanding defensive performance, scoring 27 points on turnovers brought in and held Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton scoreless. For comparison, Indiana was the highest-scoring team in the league last regular season and only reached double figures once.

Bridges and Brunson formed one half of a quartet that scored at least 20 points for the Knicks. The other two, Josh Hart (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Bridges' fellow newcomer Karl-Anthony Towns (21 points, 15 rebounds), each posted double-doubles.

“It can be anyone’s night,” Brunson said of the Knicks’ new lineup. “For us, we’re doing everything we can to find ways to win and do whatever it takes.”

The new-look Knicks (1-1) will be back in action on Monday when they host the Cleveland Cavalivers (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).

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