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Knicks React to NBA's Major Jalen Brunson Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Audilet | Last updated Apr 23, 2025 6:51 PM ET

The No. 3 seed New York Knicks and No. 6 seed Detroit Pistons are tied 1-1 in their first-round playoff series.

Led by a game-high 34 points from All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson in Game 1, the Knicks jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a 123-112 win at Madison Square Garden. The Pistons responded with a 100-94 win in Game 2 — overcoming a 37-point outing from Brunson.

Earlier this week, Brunson was announced as one of three finalists for the 2024-25 NBA Clutch Player of the Year award.

Brunson was announced as the winner on Wednesday, beating out fellow finalists Nikola Jokic and Anthony Edwards.

"Jalen Brunson averaged an NBA-high 5.6 points and shot 51.5% from the field in clutch situations (final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points). In the 28 clutch games in which Brunson played, the Knicks had a record of 17-11," the NBA wrote on X.

Jalen Brunson averaged an NBA-high 5.6 points and shot 51.5% from the field in clutch situations (final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points).

In the 28 clutch games in which Brunson played, the Knicks had a record of 17-11. https://t.co/DzcvWbhWVA
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 23, 2025

The Knicks reacted to this news with a special post on social media.

"CONGRATS CAPTAIN CLUTCH," the team wrote.

CONGRATS CAPTAIN CLUTCH‼️@jalenbrunson1 pic.twitter.com/WCQKvFBAZs
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 23, 2025

"When the game is on the line, @jalenbrunson1 is THERE," the Knicks wrote in a separate post.

when the game is on the line, @jalenbrunson1 is THERE pic.twitter.com/iR8hpq0NaY
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 23, 2025

"We have the utmost trust in everyone on this team," Brunson said after the Knicks' Game 2 loss. "It doesn't matter the situations people are put in, we're going to sit there and have each others' backs. We're going to go forward, we're going to win together, we're going to lose together and we're going to learn together. It's as simple as that."

Following Monday's Game 2 loss, Brunson and the Knicks are heading to Detroit for Game 3 at Little Caesars Arena. The crucial postseason contest will tipoff at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday night.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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