Jalen Brunson Passed Kobe Bryant for Incredible Record Amid Knicks’ 3-1 Series Lead vs Celtics

The New York Knicks have found a real basketball gem in Jalen Brunson and will likely have their best playoff result in a long time.

Jalen Brunson Passed Kobe Bryant for Incredible Record Amid Knicks’ 3-1 Series Lead vs Celtics

Jalen Brunson (Image via Instagram)

Jalen Brunson is probably the most beloved man in New York right now. His heroics leave the Knicks at the doorstep of the team’s first Conference Finals appearance in 25 years. Brunson has shouldered the offensive responsibility of a true championship-winning star and come out shining. The 28-year-old has had pivotal moments one after the other in this year’s playoffs, including a dagger against the Pistons.

Jalen Brunson has put the much-vaunted Boston Celtics defense to the sword as well in the Knicks’ four games thus far. Despite being guarded by Olympians Jrue Holiday and Derrick White and by Jaylen Brown, the 6’2″ guard has had an unstoppable scoring output. Brunson has used screens from Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson to devastating effect and created tons of separation.

He has also thrived when getting the switch on to Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis. Jayson Tatum was the only Celtic to put him under any kind of pressure in four games. However, the Celtics’ talisman will likely have no more part to play in this year’s playoffs. Brunson was integral to the Knicks’ clutch wins in games 1, 2 and 4. He will likely face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals – an inviting rematch of the 2000 ECF!

Along the way, Brunson has tallied some of the most consequential 4th quarter playoff minutes ever. This is borne out by the stats. Brunson has totaled the most 4th quarter points through 10 playoff games in NBA history (102). The only player within touching range of Brunson is Kobe Bryant, who occupies three of the top five spots. It is clear that Brunson is an all-time great playoff performer and not just a flash in the pan.

The Villanova man has already had a crucial role to play in the Dallas Mavericks‘ 2022 playoff run. In his three years at New York since, Brunson has only gone from strength to strength. He hit valuable shots in 2023 against Cleveland, 2024 against Philadelphia and now has the chance to outdo every Knicks legend since Patrick Ewing. The fact that his scoring has come up so many levels proves how well-placed GM Leon Rose’s faith in him was.

A Jalen Brunson fan is doing an unusual ritual for his health

An Asian Knicks fan has been building a TikTok following by showcasing her support for the team. Ahead of game 4 at Madison Square Garden, the creator, whose handle is darmiikim, uploaded a hilarious clip. The creator took a ‘voodoo doll’ of Brunson and put ice on the doll’s ankles. The idea of the exercise was to reverse-jinx the Knicks star, who has faced injury niggles ahead of the playoffs as well as during them.

Jalen Brunson was taken off the floor at various points of the team’s series against both Detroit as well as Boston. He is clearly not at his physical best despite his time off ahead of the postseason. The fan’s ritual, meanwhile has led to a lot of hilarity on NBA Twitter.

The Knicks would be hoping that the voodoo magic continues to do its job for a few more weeks. The team is on the cusp of history, but would have no chance of making it without Brunson in their ranks.

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