New York Knicks News: Jalen Brunson Channels Inner Bernard King in Another 40-Point Explosion in Game 1 Win Vs. Indiana Pacers

Jalen Brunson had 43 points, six rebounds, and six assists while going 14-of-26 from the field and 14-of-14 from the free-throw line in 44 minutes of action. 21 of 43 points came in the final period, as he rallied the New York Knicks after they trailed by nine points early in the fourth period.

With his fourth consecutive 40-point game, Jalen Brunson joins Bernard King, Michael Jordan, and Jerry West to achieve this feat, with Jordan last doing so in the 1993 NBA Finals.

“The little things can go a long way. So yeah, the 40 points are cool and all, but it’s the little things that help us win games like that,” Brunson said via ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “So I’m just happy I have the group of guys that I do. I just know that we’re going to fight every single day. That’s all I’m thinking about.”

“We know what he have in Jalen, and that’s all that matters. We know in our locker room that he’s our MVP; he’s our leader and we’re gonna ride with him,” Donte DiVincenzo said about Jalen Brunson via NBA TV on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Jalen Brunson got enough help from his New York Knicks teammates

Other than Jalen Brunson, four other New York Knicks starters scored in double digits. Donte DiVincenzo had 25 points, three rebounds, two blocks, and five three-pointers, including the go-ahead three with 40 seconds remaining in the game.

Josh Hart had 24 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals, while OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein had 13 points each.

As for the Indiana Pacers, Myles Turner was their leading scorer with 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field.