Jalen Brunson ‘paints’ name into playoff record books

Jalen Brunson ranks 1st among guards in points in the paint per game during a single Playoff run (since 1996-97).

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What Jalen Brunson has done this postseason — 41+ mpg, 33+ ppg, 7+ apg through 11 games — has only been accomplished by three players:

• Michael Jordan (1989)
• LeBron James (2018, 2009)
• Devin Booker (2023)

But in other ways, what the 6-foot-2 Brunson has accomplished hasn’t been seen by anyone in at least a quarter-century.

The Fire Inside: At times during these Playoffs, Brunson’s looked unstoppable, getting into the paint at will – no matter what defenses throw at him. Especially in the clutch. And at his position, that puts him in a class of one. Ever.

• Paint Production: Brunson ranks 1st among guards in points in the paint per game (14.7) during a single Playoff run, dating back to when the stat was first tracked in 1996-97 (min. 6 games)
• Getting 2 The Hoop: Brunson leads these Playoffs with 112 2-point field goals made, four more than the next closest player (Jokic, 108)
• Dicing Double Teams: Brunson has drawn 30 double teams against the Pacers, and the Knicks have averaged 1.23 points on those possessions, above their 1.18 Playoff average
• ️ Brunson: “I’m obviously not the fastest or strongest. I can’t jump the highest. But I’m relentless… I always have a plan.“

Brunson leads the NBA with 33.9 points per game this postseason, joining some of the biggest names in team and league history as he’s done it.

• With his 44 points on Tuesday, Brunson joined Jerry West, MJ, and LeBron as the only players in NBA history to record 5+ games with 40+ points and 5+ assists in a single postseason
• With 27 points tonight, Brunson would become the fifth Knick to score 400+ points in a postseason, joining Patrick Ewing, Willis Reed, Bernard King and Latrell Sprewell
• His 373 points are the 15th most all-time through the first 11 games of a postseason and the most since Kevin Durant in 2019 (376)
• Trivia! In Game 5, Brunson became the 5th Knick to record 10 or more career 30+ point Playoff games, can you list the other four?

Brunson also leads the playoffs in usage rate (36.4), with his impact only increasing when it matters most — peaking at a Playoffs-high 48% in the clutch. (min 3 GP).

️ Tom Thibodeau on Brunson to the media: “You talk about him a lot, and rightfully so — but it’s not enough… His play has been spectacular.”