Jalen Brunson Trails Only Carmelo Anthony in Latest Knicks Milestone
A good week for Jalen Brunson became downright historic on Saturday night.
The New York Knicks guard and new All-Star hit a franchise landmark during Saturday night's visit from the Indiana Pacers, as his game-best 39 points allowed him to become just the 60th to score at least 3,000 points with the team. New York revealed that, at 118 games, Brunson is the second fastest to reach that tally, behind only Carmelo Anthony.
USA TODAY SPORTS, Brad Penner
Though the undermanned Knicks (33-20) fell by a 125-111 final on Saturday, it was no doubt soothing to see Brunson back to his old self after he missed Thursday's loss to Dallas due to an ankle injury sustained two nights prior. Saturday's output, earned on 14-of-25 shooting, Brunson's 21st game with at least 30 points this season, tied with Golden State's Stephen Curry for the sixth-most in the NBA.
Alec Burks, back in New York after a season-plus absence, noted that Brunson was the biggest difference from his last go-around with the team.
"He’s an unbelievable player," Burks said, per Mark Sanchez of the New York Post. "I feel like bringing him helped the rebuild even better.”
The latest accomplishment in a Knicks uniform came days after Brunson was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game, as he'll partake in the Eastern Conference effort in Indianapolis next Sunday. While Brunson's progress in his second New York season has been well-documented, he has taken things to a whole new level with several Knicks regulars like OG Anunoby and Julius Randle injured: in four February games, Brunson is averaging 35.5 points and 5.8 assists, keeping New York in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff hunt.
Brunson has two more Knicks games on his docket before he ships off to Indianapolis, the first coming on Monday night against the Houston Rockets (8 p.m. ET, MSG).
