BOSTON — It’s easy to watch Jalen Brunson with the ball in his hands late in the game, in the moments that have earned him the NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award, and assume it is some magical quality, something that has appeared out of nowhere.

The Knicks were outscored 32-17 in that third quarter when Brunson picked up the five fouls. Brunson had just two points in the quarter. With the Knicks trailing 91-76, coach Tom Thibodeau put Brunson back in the game to start the fourth quarter. He only made it to the 7:19 mark before committing his sixth foul and fouling out.