New York Knicks at Los Angeles Clippers Preview: How, Who to Watch in Aftermath of Jalen Brunson's 50

The New York Knicks don't have much time to celebrate an unexpected victory and Jalen Brunson's history as they immediately hit the road again to face the Los Angeles Clippers.

In the ultimate new-century New York Knicks fashion, there's hardly any time to recognize and acknowledge one of the most dominant performances in franchise history.

Jalen Brunson will immediately return to action with the rest of the Knicks in tow on Saturday night, as a five-game road trip continues against the Los Angeles Clippers. Brunson is the talk of the NBA realm after a 50-point showing in an upset win over Phoenix on Friday, evening the Knicks' road trip ledger at 1-1 after Wednesday's embarrassing loss to Utah. Partly spurred on by a perfect 12-of-12 effort from the field during the second half, the Knicks clinched the victory with a 42-23 advantage in the final period.

The Knicks won the first half of their yearly two-game clash with the Clippers but Los Angeles has gotten it together since that original meeting on Nov. 6, which served as James Harden's Southern California debut. Los Angeles enters Saturday's game on an NBA-best six-game winning streak and recently took down the Golden State Warriors 121-113 on Thursday night. New York has prevailed in four of its past six against the Clippers and will look for its second sweep over the last three years.

What: New York Knicks (14-10) @ Los Angeles Clippers (14-10)

Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

When/Watch: Saturday 10:30 p.m. ET, MSG

Who's Favored: LAC -5.5

Brunson (11) drives against Paul George during the teams' November meeting / Gregory Fisher, USA TODAY SPORTS

Keep An Eye On: Jalen Brunson

Is there any other option? All eyes in New York, and probably most of the basketball community, will be on Brunson as they wait to see what he can do for an encore after Friday's antics. The 50-point plateau is one traversed by only a few in the Knicks' lengthy history and yet stands as one of its most cherished marks. Brunson will look to join Bernard King in the elite brotherhood of New Yorkers to post back-to-back 50-point games. 

Clipper to Watch: Kawhi Leonard

Leonard's Los Angeles tenure is defined by missed opportunities and medical misfortune. Knock on wood, he has been as advertised in year four: as it stands, Leonard is on pace for his three-point success rate since the 2015-16 season with San Antonio and he's been a particular tear over the last six games, averaging 28.3 points on over 59 percent shooting in an undefeated December.

They Said It

“I’m just here to be supportive. Not trying to take anybody’s shine. I’m just here to be a great teammate. If my number is called, I’ll be ready, play hard. Just do what I have to do. That’s why I’m here.”-Taj Gibson on what he plans to bring upon his return to New York (h/t Stefan Bondy, New York Post)

Scott Perry Hints at Knicks' Paul George Trade?

Prediction

Brunson scored the 50, but now comes the hard part: building on it and making sure it's not a silver lining but rather the main ingredient of a consistent aura to work with, something permanently places momentum in the Knicks' corner as they struggle to find their footing in the top-heavy Eastern Conference. They got the better of the Clippers the first time around and, with Paul George potentially ailing, there's a prime opportunity to press forward, even in a dangerous back-to-back situation on the West Coast. Hopefully, Brunson's won't have it keep it 100 this weekend, but New York knows an opportunity when it sees it.

Knicks 122, Clippers 120