Mike Breen broke out the rare double “bang” for Jalen Brunson’s game-winning shot against the Pacers on Thursday.
With just seconds left and down two, Brunson nailed the step-back 3-pointer to seal the game for the Knicks, which was enough for Breen to pull out the coveted call.
Breen has only used the double “bang” sparingly throughout his broadcasting career, with the first known instance being after a Stephen Curry game-winner against the Thunder during the 2015-16 regular season.
The longtime announcer has used the call during multiple Knicks playoff games in recent seasons, and has previously explained to The Post the events that need to happen to warrant a double “bang.”
“Three or four specific things had to happen and they did, so when he hit that shot and the crowd went crazy, it just came out,” Breen said following ex-Knick Donte DiVincenzo’s clutch 3-pointer in the 2024 NBA playoffs.
“It’s not something that was thought of, it just came out for such a spectacular play during this extraordinary sequence in such a huge playoff game,” he added.
Thursday’s win over Indiana was the first instance of Breen making the call this season, and Brunson was seemingly deserving of it, with his 25-point performance leading all Knicks in scoring.
The win continues a hot streak for the Knicks, winning 10 of their last 11 games — not including the NBA Cup final victory Tuesday.
Due to the NBA Cup, the Knicks had little time off before Thursday’s game, which is the front end to a back-to-back as they play the 76ers on Friday.
“Somehow, someway, they have to look at the back end of the schedule for anybody who is in the final game,” Knicks head coach Mike Brown told reporters Thursday in regards to the schedule. “Because it’s almost like you get penalized for winning it, schedule-wise.
“We’ve talked about it all year how the games are so close now. But you get penalized for winning the Cup.”
