Jalen BrunsonThe first 40-point game of the year couldn’t have come at a better time.
The All-Star point guard broke his season record Saturday night lead the Knicks against the Orlando Magic and advance to the NBA Cup championship Tuesday night in Las Vegas.
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Brunson’s scoring outburst came on 16-of-27 shooting (59.3 percent), despite hitting 2-of-5 from three-point land and making just six free throws. He also added eight assists, four rebounds and a steal in 39 minutes in the 132-120 victory.
After the win, Brunson spoke with the NBA on Prime team about his performance and how his game continues to improve, especially on the big stages.
“I think the way we played, I was able to get a few extra catches and shots. I have a lot of confidence in my shooting,” Brunson said. “I work too hard not to have confidence in myself. Sometimes it’s going to come in, and when it does, I’m just going to keep laying them off.”
The 29-year-old was then interviewed by the former two-time MVP Steve Nash about his “touch around the rim” and how it keeps improving over the course of his career.
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“It’s something I had to learn,” Brunson said. “Obviously I’m not the biggest and I don’t jump over people… My game is unique. I play off-balance. I’m balanced, but most people wouldn’t be. That’s what I’m working on, just be deceptive. I’ve been doing it for a long time and it keeps getting better, like you said.”
Brunson’s points record the previous season was 37 points, which he had twice this year (against the Heat on October 26 and against the Bucks on November 28). He is now averaging 28.3 points per game through 22 games and has scored 30+ points in four straight games.
New York, winner of five straight games, will need Brunson to continue playing with that confidence to continue its streak Tuesday night in the NBA Cup championship against the winner of the Thunder-Spurs semifinal.
