Knicks’ Jalen Brunson Wows Fans with 45 Points in Win vs. Bulls amid NBA Playoff Race
Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIApril 10, 2024
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson continued his tremendous season on Tuesday by dropping 45 points in a 128-117 road victory over the Chicago Bulls, vaulting his team to third place in the Eastern Conference in the process.
Brunson scored 15 first-quarter points, including back-to-back three-pointers to give the Knicks a 36-24 edge. He finished the first half with 24 points.
The former Villanova star scored 10 more in the third quarter, with his three-point play giving the Knicks a 81-64 lead with nine minutes remaining in the frame.
Chicago fought back, though, and cut the lead to four points on multiple occasions in the fourth quarter. But Brunson kept dropping buckets, including a clutch three to give him 40 on the night and provide the Knicks with a 117-104 lead with 5:45 left.
NBA @NBAAnother 3⃣!
Brunson up to 40 PTS 🔥 https://t.co/N1fnzrOpgm pic.twitter.com/1vSKbi6zQv
The Bulls later cut the lead to seven after a late 6-0 run but couldn’t get any closer. A Brunson three with 2:08 left proved to be the dagger, giving the Knicks a 122-112 lead with 2:08 remaining in regulation.
NBA @NBAJalen Brunson hits his 7th triple for 45 PTS to extend the Knicks’ lead in the 4th quarter!
NYK-CHI | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/TQR1EKs7zo pic.twitter.com/mKw8OF4Yqm
Simply put, Brunson has been on fire, averaging 39.5 points per game over his last four outings. He’s only a couple weeks removed from scorching the San Antonio Spurs with a career-high 61 points.
Brunson also etched his name on an elite list with another 40-plus points Tuesday, two days after he scored 43 against the Milwaukee Bucks:
NY_KnicksPR @NY_KnicksPRJalen Brunson has now recorded consecutive games with 40+ points for the second time this season. He is the third Knick to record multiple streaks with consecutive 40-point games in a season, joining Bernard King (1984-85) and Patrick Ewing (1989-90).
Brunson’s hot streak is sorely needed for a Knicks team that has lost All-Star forward Julius Randle for the season with a dislocated right shoulder that required surgery.
Despite missing Randle, the Knicks have hung tough and find themselves just one game behind the second-place Milwaukee Bucks with a 47-32 record (three games remaining).
Somehow, the Knicks still haven’t clinched a playoff spot (top six in the East), but they only need one more win (or one Miami Heat loss) to do that.
Brunson is obviously the catalyst for the Knicks’ success, and fans and analysts alike praised his remarkable run, which continued Tuesday thanks to a 13-of-24 shooting night (7-of-12 from three, perfect 12-of-12 from free throw line). He also added eight assists.
Fred Katz @FredKatzI don’t wanna jump the gun but I think this Jalen Brunson signing is working out for the Knicks
Tommy Beer @TommyBeerAt some point, Jalen Brunson may play a basketball game and not set some kind of Knicks record… but tonight won’t be that night folks
Parlay Police @JoelMetsNYJalen Brunson is NY’s Final Boss.
KnicksMuse @KnicksMuseJalen Brunson is currently a better basketball player than Kyrie Irving.
Not really a debate.
Walt Perrin Sees the Future @KnickedupFanJalen Brunson is to NBA defenses what college calculus was to my GPA
The problem that couldn’t be solved
Jeremy Goldstein @jeremynogo8Jalen Brunson is the best Knick since Ewing (at least!)
What he’s doing right now is out of this world #NewYorkForever
Don @DHPBJJalen Brunson is really a superstar.
Knicks Nation @KnicksNationJalen Brunson, best PG in the NBA. Argue with a wall. pic.twitter.com/HsLYIDb418
StatMuse @statmuseBrunson last 7 games:
38.4 PPG
8.7 APG
1.1 SPG
Top __ player in the league. pic.twitter.com/nDl4xK17wl
BrunsonMuse @BrunsonMuseJALEN BRUNSON TONIGHT:
45 PTS
8 AST
3 REB
58% 3PT
HIS TENTH 40-POINT GAME THIS SEASON!!!🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/H08Px18oOq
maybe: xavier @couldbexavsitting here nearly moved to tears that jalen brunson is my point guard.
Julito McCullum aka LITO @IamJulitoJalen Brunson is really one of one.
Nicky Snacks @NickySnacks_Really not sure how there is a discussion about this but no one is more valuable to their team than Jalen Brunson
He is this years MVP. Shouldn’t be close
Brunson and the Knicks close out the regular season with three games in four nights starting Thursday at the first-place Boston Celtics. They’ll finish the year at home with games against the Brooklyn Nets (Friday) and Bulls once again (Sunday).
