Jalen Brunson Puts up 50 in Win Over the Suns
For the past couple of years, the New York Knicks have tried to establish a new identity and culture shock the fans into a winning attitude. With the addition of Jalen Brunson, the Knicks have finally gotten some elite play out of a guard, something this team hasn’t seen in quite some time. Last night in a 139-122 win over the Phoenix Suns, Brunson put up on a show, as he dropped 50 points in the victory. Jalen is certainly showing that he’s an all-star caliber player, and perhaps even All-NBA caliber, if he can continue to have performances like this, it won’t be a surprise to see him be selected to his first all-star appearance. Let’s check out how Jalen Brunson went off during this matchup.
Brunson was perfect during the second half going 12 for 12 from the field as he put up 35 of his 50 points in the final two quarters of action. Overall, he went 17 for 23 from the field and made all nine of his attempts from behind the arc. Jalen Brunson became the first player since the 1979-1980 season to score 50 plus points while shooting 100 percent from three-point range. Jalen Brunson also finished the game with six rebounds, nine assists, and five steals. In 24 games played this season, Brunson is averaging about 26 points, four rebounds, six assists, and a steal a game. His 50 points was a new career high, beating out last season when he dropped 48 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
New York is currently 14-10 and sits in the fifth seed within the Eastern Conference. They’ve been elite at Madison Square Garden going 7-3 thus far. This team is currently in the same situation they were in last year, as they sit in the middle of the East and trail behind some of the elite teams in the NBA this season. Besides Jalen Brunson, someone else on that Knicks roster will have to step up and make the next step in their career if the team wants to improve as a whole. The Knicks are still relatively young, someone will have to be a second or third option to Brunson, and Randle, who can pick up the slack if these two guys can’t get any baskets to fall. Do you think the New York Knicks are stuck in the same situation they were in last year, or will they improve and defy the odds come playoff time?
