In the New York Knicks’ 111-107 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, point guard Jalen Brunson had a standout performance.
He scored a career-high 44 points, leading the Knicks down the stretch and becoming their most consistent scorer.
A career night for Jalen Brunson:
44 PTS (career-high)
7 REB
4 AST
4 3PM pic.twitter.com/TxRZB3lj01— NBA (@NBA) January 10, 2023
This was his fifth-straight game with at least 20 points, and the second time in that stretch he has set a career-high in scoring.
In the midst of his best season, Brunson has transformed his game.
While Julius Randle is the primary scorer for this Knicks team, Brunson is proving himself as arguably the best.
He appears to elevate his game in crunch time, scoring at a high rate when the game is on the line.
Though he will likely stay as a secondary scorer, this could prove to be big for the Knicks in the playoffs.
Brunson has the ability to take the game over.
He is slightly undersized, but plays bigger by using his strength.
This allows him to push his way around the paint, while also being a solid three-point shooter.
By having this balanced scoring approach, it makes Brunson difficult to guard.
When he is hot, he can find the bottom of the basket at an impressive rate, something that the Knicks need more of late in games.
They have struggled in that position, and Brunson could become their best option at the end of games.
JALEN BRUNSON IS HIM!
PUT SOME RESPECT ON HIS NAME!! pic.twitter.com/3NB3aVAam1
— Big Knick Energy (@BigKnickEnergy_) January 7, 2023
With another opportunity to keep building on his All-Star case tonight against the Indiana Pacers, expect Brunson to once again put together a solid game.
It will be interesting to see, as he goes against a tough defensive matchup in Tyrese Haliburton.
This could go a long way towards proving that Brunson is actually the team’s best scoring option.
