Yes, the Knicks were injured. Sure, they were incredibly shorthanded. But, to Jalen Brunson, that didn’t lessen the disappointment of their Eastern Conference semifinal loss last year to the Pacers. “I mean,

Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart all won a national championship together at Villanova in 2016 (the latter two grabbed another in 2018). The camaraderie and trust that come with such a longstanding relationship are invaluable. It also makes for a lighthearted atmosphere.

As he prepares to face Rick Carlisle and the Indiana Pacers, Carlisle reflected on Brunson's emergence. Before taking over as head coach of the Pacers for the second time, Carlisle coached Brunson on the Mavericks during his first three NBA seasons.

With one series standing in the Knicks' way from bringing the NBA Finals to Madison Square Garden for the first time this century, more on-court brilliance and winning will undoubtedly make Brunson a cherished folk hero in New York forever.

Jalen Brunson's Knicks will take on Tyrese Haliburton's Pacers, setting the stage for the WWE script of last summer.

Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and the New York Knicks will take on the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

WWE writes a great script,” Josh Hart said after practice Monday in Tarrytown. “There’s gonna be a lot of guys trying to get on WWE this summer.”

Here are 6 stars and 6 X-factors from the Timberwolves, Thunder, Pacers and Knicks poised to boost their teams in the Conference Finals.