WATCH: Knicks’ Jalen Brunson’s smart play turns out comical after Keon Ellis falls for trap

Jalen Brunson becomes the fourth player in New York Knicks history to have consecutive 40-point games.

WATCH: Knicks’ Jalen Brunson’s smart play turns out comical after Keon Ellis falls for trap

New York Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson blows by Sacramento Kings' Keon Ellis as he fell into Brunson's fake screen trap (image via New York Knicks/X)

The New York Knicks faced off against the Sacramento Kings tonight. The matchup was crucial for both teams in their respective playoff seedings. With such an important game on the line, Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson decided to trick Kings player Keon Ellis on a play to extend the lead for his team.

The New York Knicks were up 3 on the Sacramento Kings with 40 seconds left in regulation. Jalen Brunson, in possession of the ball, waited for a while, dribbling the basketball and directing his teammates. 

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Keon Ellis thought Brunson was calling for a screen and kept checking either side of the court. When Ellis turned his head to his right, Brunson drove past him and scored with a floater.

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The entire play turned out to be comical for Ellis, as he fell for the trap. He kept checking either side to look for a potential screen coming in and trapping him in his position. Brunson is known to call for screens whenever he wants to go iso with the ball. Brunson tricked Ellis by making him think something similar was about to happen.

That play by the Knicks superstar helped his team to a 5-point lead, which eventually helped them win the game. The Knicks have Brunson to thank for his all-out dominance to secure them the win with a scoreline of 98-91. The Kings’ loss at home keeps them in the play-in spots. At the same time, the New York Knicks move up by one spot in the East.

Jalen Brunson puts up back-to-back 40-point performances

With his superstar teammate Julius Randle out injured and another teammate, OG Anunoby, slowly returning to form, Jalen Brunson had to take on the offensive burden tonight, and he responded with a dominating 42 points. His performance was good enough to cover the contributions of the Sacramento Kings’ two leading superstars. 

After scoring 45 against the Portland Trailblazers a couple of nights ago, this performance elevates him into a rare club. He is joined by former Knicks greats Carmelo Anthony, Patrick Ewing, and Bernard King to be the only players in Knicks history to have two consecutive 40-point games. That itself is proof of the former Villanova Wildcats standout.

Jalen Brunson is proving people wrong by saying that a small player cannot lead his team to success. That argument is so far invalid because he is tricking opposition defenses and using his elite skills to win games.

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