Key Knicks Guard Has Something Most NBA Players Don't, Jalen Brunson Says

Knicks guard has something most players don't

It's easy to look at Brunson's performance and possibly take it for granted. It wasn't his first clutch performance; it was just the latest.

Knicks fans, and perhaps most NBA fans, come to expect those types of performances from Brunson. So, it wasn't shocking to hear that Brunson was named as a finalist for the Clutch Player of the Year award.

While Brunson got much of the spotlight, it was Cameron Payne's contributions that really started the run.

Just as Brunson was coming back into the game, Payne had made a layup plus the foul to cut the Knicks' deficit to six. Payne scored 11 of his 14 points in that all-important fourth quarter and helped propel the Knicks to the win.

One person who was particularly impressed with Payne's performance was Brunson, and that Payne has something many don't.

"That's who he's been since I've seen him play," Brunson said. "I think the best thing that a player can have, in whatever league, whatever level you're in is confidence.

"He has the most confidence in himself. We have the most confidence in him. I think that's what helps us as a team. We give each other confidence."

Before his time with the Knicks, Payne was Russell Westbrook's pregame hype man as a rookie. After time in the G-League and even in China, Payne had perhaps his most significant impact when he landed with the Phoenix Suns.

In Phoenix, he had a very similar role to the one he has with the Knicks. It might not be every game, but Payne can deliver an offensive spark off the bench that can help swing games.

The Knicks will hope Payne can keep that up as the playoffs move forward.