Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks drew first blood in their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup against Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers on Day 17 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on Monday night.

Brunson lit up the Pacers’ defense with his 4th straight 40-point game in these playoffs to come away with the win at home against his fellow Team USA teammate and 2024 NBA All-Star batchmate Haliburton. 

Over at the West, Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves took the world by storm by taking another game off the defending champions Denver Nuggets on their home floor. They now lead the series 2-0 as it shifts back to their home floor in Minnesota.

Edwards along with co-star Karl-Anthony Towns starred for the Timberwolves with 27 points each as they stepped their game up without starting center and defensive anchor Rudy Gobert, who missed the game due to the birth of his first child.

Check out our recap here:

FINAL SCORE THREAD 🧵#NBAPlayoffs - Round 2 | Game 1 🏀

IND 117 - 121 NYK | Knicks lead series 1-0

J. Brunson 📊 43 PTS | 14-26 FG | 14-14 FT | 6 REB | 6 AST
J. Hart 📊 24 PTS | 9-13 FG | 13 REB | 8 AST | 3 STL
D. DiVincenzo 📊 25 PTS | 10-17 FG | 5-9 3P | 2 BLK… pic.twitter.com/bKUNmip0vo

— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) May 7, 2024

#NBAPlayoffs - Round 2 | Game 2 🏀

MIN 106 - 80 DEN | Timberwolves lead series 2-0

K. Towns 📊 27 PTS | 10-15 FG | 3-5 3P | 12 REB | 2 BLK
A. Edwards 📊 27 PTS | 11-17 FG | 7 AST | 2 STL#WolvesBack pic.twitter.com/SSnOjpqiE7

— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) May 7, 2024