Guard Jalen Brunson could carry the New York Knicks on a deep playoff run after the budding star had one of the best regular seasons in the team’s history.
On Sunday against the Chicago Bulls, Brunson had 40 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in a 120-119 overtime victory. According to Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press, it was his 11th game with 40 points, tying for the second most in franchise history behind Bernard King.
The Knicks (50-32), meanwhile, secured the second seed in the Eastern Conference after the Milwaukee Bucks (49-33) fell to the Orlando Magic (47-35) 113-88 on Sunday. It’s the first time New York has won 50 or more games since 2012-13.
Brunson is one reason the Knicks are having their best season in over a decade. In 76 regular-season games, the 27-year-old averaged a career-high 28.6 points per game, earning his first All-Star nod.
He’s been on a hot streak over the past seven games. Per The Athletic, he scored 30 points or more in every game and had two double-doubles.
“The way he plays, the things he can do, it’s definitely special,” Knicks forward OG Anunoby recently said of Brunson, via The Athletic’s Fred Katz. “He’s one of the best in the league. He’s playing like an MVP; (he) should win MVP.”
Despite Brunson’s recent play, he probably won’t win MVP. In its latest MVP ladder, NBA.com ranked Brunson at No. 8.
Still, he’s the Knicks’ most valuable player, and they must continue to ride his hot hand heading into the playoffs. New York will host the Miami Heat or the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.
About The Author
Leave a Reply