Jalen Brunson Delivers Again, and the MVP Talk Is Getting Louder
Another night, another clutch moment for Jalen Brunson-and this one might be his most emphatic yet.
With 4.4 seconds left on the clock and the Knicks trailing by two, Brunson sized up Andrew Nembhard, stepped back, and buried a cold-blooded three to seal a dramatic 114-113 comeback win over the Indiana Pacers. It was a shot that echoed through Madison Square Garden and sent a clear message across the league: Brunson isn’t just playing like an All-Star-he’s playing like an MVP.
Head coach Mike Brown didn’t mince words after the final buzzer.
“Our MVP. The League’s MVP.
Jalen Brunson,” Brown said. “As Jalen’s walking out on the floor, he turns to me and says: ‘I’m getting this win.’
He went out and came through. That’s what real MVPs do.”
Stat Line with Substance
Brunson’s night was more than just a single shot-it was a full-game masterclass in leadership and execution. He finished with 25 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks, showcasing the kind of all-around performance that’s become his signature.
And it wasn’t just the numbers-it was the timing. The Knicks were down by as many as 16 points, short-handed without Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson. Yet Brunson kept grinding, kept pushing, and ultimately delivered the dagger.
This is becoming a pattern. The reigning Clutch Player of the Year and fresh-off-the-NBA-Cup MVP has made a habit of rising in the biggest moments. Thursday night just added another chapter to what’s shaping up to be a special season.
The MVP Case Is Building
Let’s talk about the numbers. Brunson is averaging 28.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting with impressive efficiency. Over his last six games, he’s been even hotter-averaging 31.5 points, 6.2 assists, and knocking down over three triples per game.
But stats only tell part of the story. What elevates Brunson’s MVP case is the context.
He’s putting up elite numbers while carrying a shorthanded Knicks team through a tough stretch of the schedule. He’s not just producing-he’s leading.
And the Knicks are winning because of it.
With Thursday’s win, New York extended its winning streak to seven games and improved to 19-7 on the season. That’s not just good-it’s elite territory in the Eastern Conference.
And it’s happening under the steady hand of Mike Brown, who’s brought a defensive edge and a clear identity to this Knicks squad. But make no mistake-Brunson is the engine.
Leadership That Translates
What separates MVPs from great players is the ability to elevate everyone around them. That’s what Brunson is doing. Even with key players sidelined, the Knicks look composed, confident, and competitive every night-and that starts with their point guard.
The shot-making is elite. The poise is undeniable. The leadership is unmistakable.
So when Mike Brown calls him “the league’s MVP,” it doesn’t sound like hyperbole. It sounds like a coach who knows exactly what he has-and a player who’s proving it night after night.
If Brunson keeps this up, the MVP conversation won’t just include him. It might revolve around him.