NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
**Editor’s Note:** For additional NBA insights, check out The Athletic here. The opinions expressed on this page may not represent those of the NBA or its franchises.
* * *
NEW YORK— Jalen Brunson doesn’t have an extensive collection of trophies. Among his few accolades is the game ball from his exceptional 60-point outing last season, while his parents retain his other honors.
Recently, Brunson received his Clutch Player of the Year trophy—a stylish, glass award resembling a vase with a gold figurine of a jumper suspended within. Unfortunately, it arrived with an oversight: his name was not inscribed. The New York Knicks promptly returned it for corrections. He has since obtained the update, now properly featuring “Jalen Brunson” on the award.
However, it remains uncertain whether Brunson will prominently display it. In its early days, it has already been set aside and is not showcased in his home.
Brunson’s ethos is not to focus on accolades. Still, he can easily point out a significant piece of memorabilia on display at his parents’ home—something that never belonged to him.
“Whenever I’m at the house, I see the finals jersey hanging on the wall,” Brunson remarked. “And it’s really cool to see.”
This jersey belongs to his father, Rick, who played for the Knicks during their last appearance in the NBA Finals, a defeat to the San Antonio Spurs in 1999. Now, Jalen finds himself with the same franchise, just four victories away from the playoffs’ final round, once again facing the same obstacle.
As the Knicks prepare to face the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, they’ll be playing in their first conference finals game since 2000. That year, the Pacers bested the Knicks in six games. The previous season, when Brunson’s father wore that finals jersey, is a celebrated chapter in Knicks history: a six-game triumph over Indiana that included the iconic Larry Johnson four-point play, marking the first time an No. 8 seed reached the Finals.
Now, Brunson stands on the brink of leading the Knicks, a franchise that has struggled for most of the last two decades, back to prominence. This achievement—rather than the Clutch Player of the Year trophy, a fifth-place MVP finish for 2024, or his high-scoring games—has been his true aim from the start.
Last summer, Brunson signed a three-year contract extension not primarily for financial reasons. His new deal takes effect in 2025-26, and had he waited until next summer to re-sign after his current contract expired, he would have qualified for maximum salary in free agency. Instead, he opted for a less lucrative extension, ensuring long-term stability for both himself and the team.
The All-Star point guard secured guaranteed income for three additional seasons, shielding himself from any unexpected circumstances that might diminish his market value. At the same time, the Knicks retain the franchise’s most significant free-agent acquisition in history, who joined from the Dallas Mavericks in 2022—all while keeping the financial terms favorable.
The impact of the new collective bargaining agreement is being felt across the NBA. The Denver Nuggets are facing challenges in building around their core due to second-apron anxieties, while the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns find themselves in a position where substantial improvements are difficult due to payroll constraints, potentially having to part ways with star players. The Boston Celtics are also reevaluating their future due to an injury to Jayson Tatum, a symptom of the stringent limitations now imposed on high-spending teams.
Fortunately, the Knicks aren’t encumbered by such concerns for the next few years.
When Brunson signed his extension, he cited reasons beyond mere financial gain. He analyzed the implications of the CBA and recognized that New York’s best opportunity for sustained success would involve its top contributors alleviating financial burdens for the franchise. And that’s exactly what he did.
Upon committing to the team, he earned the title of captain—an intuitive designation, as the Knicks’ fortunes tend to hinge on Brunson’s performance. Over the years, his meticulousness and dedication to the game have influenced the locker room culture.
“He’s a great student of the game,” commented Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Facing the Pacers will not be an easy task; they have a tenacious defense and physical matchups. Indiana guard Andrew Nembhard poses a crafty challenge, while wing Aaron Nesmith is robust and long, having guarded Brunson more closely after the Pacers adjusted their strategy during last spring’s series.
The Pacers are relentless, defending the three-point line stoutly while pushing the pace. Center Myles Turner presents significant challenges in the paint.
Yet, Brunson thrives under pressure.
He excels in tight situations, using pivots and hesitations to navigate through defenses. He may struggle with dunking and lacks breakneck speed, but his ability to stop on a dime and change directions outmatches many competitors in the league.
When the Knicks are in dire need of a score, Brunson often finds a way to deliver.
In recent weeks, this Knicks lineup has undergone a transformation. Once an inconsistent team through the regular season, they now embody a mentality characterized by resilience—an essence that Brunson influences.
During a grueling first-round series against the Detroit Pistons, which felt like it stretched over seven games, the Knicks rallied from fourth-quarter deficits to secure victories in all four of their wins. In critical moments, they turn to Brunson, who has averaged a league-best 41.5 points per 36 minutes in crucial late-game scenarios during the regular season, elevating that to 46.1 in the playoffs.
“It’s fantastic to have someone with such a calming presence during those pivotal moments,” said Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns. “J.B. earned the Clutch Player of the Year title for a reason.”
However, it’s not that award that holds the most significance for Brunson.
He hit the series-winning shot over defensive standout Ausar Thompson against Detroit, shimmying past him before making a smooth three-pointer. The Knicks clawed back from 20-point deficits in both Games 1 and 2 against the Boston Celtics, and in Game 4, they overcame a 14-point shortfall in the second half. Brunson heated up that night, matching Tatum shot for shot. But those comebacks—and the decisive victory to cap Boston’s season—were not solely due to Brunson’s late-game heroics.
Mikal Bridges has stepped up in clutch moments. OG Anunoby has solidified his defensive game. Josh Hart thrives in creating chaos, hustling relentlessly for every loose ball. Mitchell Robinson has made a powerful return to form. Miles “Deuce” McBride is emerging as a formidable defender and shooter.
The Pacers are a handful, boasting a top-10 defense since early December. They’re constantly on the move, handling the ball securely and slicing through defenses with their relentless cutting. They boast impressive depth and have recently dominated the Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers to reach the conference finals. Yet, as Celtics executive Brad Stevens noted in his season wrap-up press conference this week, the Knicks are also “peaking.”
They have the opportunity to leverage their physical triumph over Detroit and their determined performance against Boston into something greater. If they succeed, perhaps Brunson can finally claim a jersey to hang on his wall.
***
Fred Katz is a senior NBA writer at The Athletic. Follow Fred on Twitter @FredKatz.
