New York Knicks Jalen Brunson Joins Elite Group In Playoffs

New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson has heard it all throughout his basketball career. He has been doubted at every level, yet continues to defy all expectations. The 2023-24 NBA season presented what has been the most challenging obstacle of his career.

Brunson has shown capable of being the No. 1 option, but since January 27th, all eyes have been on him. With Julius Randle sidelined by a shoulder injury, the entire game plan for opponents focuses on Brunson.

He has faced it all. Teams are picking up full court to get the ball out of his hands or blitzing him as soon as he steps over halfcourt. No matter what teams throw at him, Jalen Brunson has found a way to counter it.

In the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Brunson and the New York Knicks faced a stiff test from the Philadelphia 76ers. During the regular season, Nick Nurse had done a solid job of finding ways to limit Brunson’s scoring forays. In the first two games of their first-round series, that continued.

Brunson struggled mightily, shooting 16-of-55 from the field and 2-of-12 from 3-point range. He scored 46 points to go along with 15 rebounds sand 13 assists. Despite their star struggling, New York won both games.

Alas, if they were going to win this series, Brunson would need to improve his production. That is exactly what he did, as the All-Star point guard took his game to another level, joining some elite groups with his performances.

Brunson scored at least 39 points in each of the final four games of the series. In each of those games, he also handed out at least six assists. He is only the third player in NBA history to accomplish that feat. The only other players with four consecutive playoff games with 35+ points and 5+ assists are LeBron James in 2009 and Michael Jordan in 1989 and 1990.