Jalen Brunson's reaction after setting Knicks playoff scoring record: "It's not going to do anything for us going forward"
New York Knicks All-Star guard Jalen Brunson delivered another masterpiece on Sunday. Brunson shattered Bernard King's 40-year Knicks playoff scoring record with 47 points, leading an injury-stricken team to a huge road win in Philadelphia.
After the game, reporters asked Brunson about setting the Knicks' franchise record, but he downplayed his feat by saying the job was not yet done.
"I'll look back when I retire. Seriously, it's great. Right now, helped us get a win. But it's not going to do anything for us moving forward," said Brunson
The knicks put Sixers in the Brunson Burner
The Knicks entered Game 4 without center Mitchell Robinson, who suffered an ankle sprain after Joel Embiid's dirty play in the previous game. Then, they lost reserve Bojan Bogdanovic to a left foot contusion during the game. Already without All-Star forward Julius Randle, the Knicks were led by "Big Body Brunson" to victory in Philly.
Brunson scored a playoff career-high with 47 points on 18-34 shooting. He also had 10 assists, four rebounds, and one blocked shot in 44 minutes of action.
Jalen began the fourth quarter in the locker room, but once he returned, he scored six straight points to give the Knicks the lead for good. With the Knicks up by only four in the final minute of the game, Brunson hit another shot to give New York a 95-89 cushion.
His 47 points shattered the Knicks' franchise playoff scoring record set by the legendary Bernard King 40 years ago. Brunson is also the first player since Michael Jordan in 1990 to score at least 45 points on 50+% FG shooting with 10 assists in a playoff game. He is also the first player in NBA history to score 85+ points and dish off 20+ assists over a two-game span in the postseason.
Brunson proving his doubters wrong again
As always, Brunson's doubters came alive once again after he struggled during the first two games of the Knicks' current playoff series. The Knicks guard scored 22 and 24 points in Games 1 and 2, respectively, but shot a dismal 16-55 from the floor during that two-game stretch. However, after putting up 39 in Game 3 and erupting for 47 on Sunday, he has proven his critics wrong.
"Mannnnn, A LOT of people gotta eat their words about Jalen Brunson. He has been SENSATIONAL for the Knicks. Doubted every step of the way and just keeps delivering. Make sure those apologies are as loud as the disrespect was." said former NFL star and now ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III on Twitter.
Brunson isn't about proving himself to his critics. It's about picking up wins for the Knicks and moving forward. As he said, getting the record is cute, but the goal is to win the championship. They are still 13 wins away from that.
