Jalen Brunson did not mince any words about the Knicks’ 2023-24 NBA season, delivering a simple response to a reporter after their Game 7 loss to the Indiana Pacers who asked him whether he considered the previous season a success or not.
Reporter: “Do you think this season is a success given how much you guys had to go through to get here?”
Brunson: “No.”
"No."
Jalen Brunson when asked if the Knicks' season was a success 😳
(via @sny_knicks)pic.twitter.com/AD4TrJhJc1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 19, 2024
Jalen Brunson was extremely disappointed and angry about the Knicks’ Game 7 loss to the Indiana Pacers at home.
Brunson, who has had an incredible playoff run, was forced to exit the game early due to a broken thumb, which only added to the Knicks’ injury concerns, as Josh Hart and OG Anunoby were also struggling with injuries, and were only cleared to play a few hours before tip-off at The Garden. This is a big reason why he struggled from the field tonight, only scoring 17 points and making only 6/17 of his field goals.
Brunson has had an incredible season for the New York Knicks. He was named an All-Star for the second time in his career and helped the Knicks secure the second seed in the Eastern Conference. On top of that, Brunson was an MVP candidate this season, finishing third behind Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
During the regular season, Brunson averaged 28.7 points, 6.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game. His numbers become even more impressive when fans remember that he lost his star teammate Julius Randle halfway through the season due to injuries.
In the playoffs, Brunson’s scoring numbers got even better, as he averaged 33.7 points, 7.3 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game. Brunson had some incredible games in the first round against the 76ers, scoring 40+ points multiple times during the series.
While the Knicks were not able to defeat the Pacers, it wasn’t because of Brunson’s shortcomings, as he had multiple 40-point games in the series against the Pacers as well. The thumb injury in Game 7 along with general fatigue is what kept the Knicks from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
Jalen Brunson Impressed Millions During Playoff Run
Despite the disappointing end to the playoff run, Brunson should be proud of what he was able to accomplish during this playoff run. Since moving to the New York Knicks, Brunson has been able to establish himself as one of the best players in Knicks history. In fact, in just two seasons, Brunson has surpassed Carmelo Anthony in playoff points, despite Melo being in New York for seven seasons.
Some have even argued that Brunson might be the greatest Knicks player since the legendary Walt Fraizer. However, former Knicks player Mark Jackson dismissed that claim, pointing out that the likes of Patrick Ewing should be in that conversation before Brunson.
Regardless of his positioning in the all-time great debates for the Knicks, there is no denying the greatness Brunson displayed during this playoff run. In fact, NBA analyst and Knicks superfan Stephen A. Smith even said that Brunson’s 2024 playoff run is greater than the iconic runs Stephen Curry and Allen Iverson have had. While Smith may have been slightly hyperbolic with that statement, there is no denying how spectacular this playoff run from Brunson has been.
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