New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown did not mince words after watching Jalen Brunson take over on one of the league’s biggest stages. Following Brunson’s 40 point, 8 assist performance in a 132–120 win over the Orlando Magic in the NBA Cup semifinal, Brown made it clear he believes his star guard belongs firmly in the MVP conversation.
“He makes the game easier for everybody,” Brown said via NBA.com’s Shaun Powell.
“That’s what MVPs are supposed to do, and he definitely did that tonight. He scored for us when we didn’t have much going with our offensive movement and stuff like that. You have a guy like that that can go get a bucket and he keeps you in the game and gets you leads and at the end of the day, he carries you home.”
Brown pointed to Brunson’s comfort in high-pressure moments as a defining trait, referencing his playoff performances last season and his continued ability to close games. Although Brunson does not currently top the league’s clutch-time statistical categories, that context matters. New York has routinely put games away early, posting a points differential of 8.8, which has limited late-game opportunities.
Saturday night was different. Brunson lived at the free throw line in the fourth quarter, attempting nine shots to shut the door on Orlando and send the Knicks to the NBA Cup Final.
“It’s beautiful to be able to see him do what he’s more than capable of doing on a national stage like this in an environment like this, so that hopefully you media and the fans out there can continue talking about him as an MVP of this league because that’s exactly what he is,” Brown said.
Brunson’s production backs up his coach’s stance. He is averaging career highs in scoring at 28.8 points per game and three-pointers made at 2.8, while leading New York to an 18 and 7 start. He currently sits 6th on the NBA KIA MVP Ladder after finishing 10th in last season’s voting and 5th the year before.
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