In the midst of a tightly contested playoff series, the New York Knicks secured a hard-fought 116-113 win over the Detroit Pistons. Mikal Bridges played a key role by scoring 25 points. Ogugua Anunoby Jr also stepped up with 22 points. However, Jalen Brunson stole the spotlight with his consistent dominance throughout the series. As a result, fans and analysts compared him to the NBA legend Michael Jordan.
On ESPN’s Get Up, Mike Greenberg and Alan Hahn praised Brunson for his Game 6 performance in the first-round series. Greenberg said Jalen’s performance was Jordanesque. He also added: “Jalen Brunson has opened this postseason with 4 straight 30-point games. The last player to open a playoffs with 4 straight was Michael Jordan in 1998. Brunson is already pretty much the greatest post-season performer in Knicks franchise history.”
Jalen Brunson delivered a standout performance in Game 6. He scored 40 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, and added 7 assists in 42 minutes. In addition, he scored 30 or more points in five of the six first-round games. This shows his consistent offensive firepower. He also dished out at least 7 assists in every game. So, he contributed as a playmaker as well. His all-around performance helped the Knicks reach the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The comparisons did not end there as Allan Hahn says Jalen is reminiscent of a New York baseball icon. “He has become what New York remembers Mariano Rivera, as the greatest closer in the history of baseball, closing games…Enter Sandman. They might as well play that after a timeout with under 10 seconds to go if the Knicks have the ball. Because you know who’s getting it. And there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Michael Jordan was the last player to score 30 or more points in his first four playoff games.
One thing is clear: Jalen Brunson keeps playing at a high level. If he leads the New York Knicks to an NBA title, he will earn a special place in franchise history. However, the next challenge will not be easy. The Knicks must get past Jayson Tatum’s Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. It is a tough matchup, but if they manage to win, they could become the biggest surprise of the postseason.
see also
Michael Jordan’s impressive NBA playoff record matched by Knicks star Jalen Brunson vs Detroit
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal reveals what Jalen Brunson and the Knicks must do to beat the Celtics
The New York Knicks start as underdogs against the Boston Celtics. Both teams finished near the top of the Eastern Conference. However, the Celtics hold the edge thanks to their individual and collective talent. Their roster depth and star power make them the superior team. It does not mean the Knicks are out of it. They have shown they can compete with any opponent. They play with intensity and do not back down.
For that reason, Shaquille O’Neal pointed out Jalen Brunson as the Knicks’ key to beat Jayson Tatum’s Celtics. “Growing up being a fan, he watched the superstars do great things, and Brunson showed us what a superstar looks like tonight...Now, he has his hands full, but if he can play like this four out of seven or just four games where he can give me 35 to 40 points, they have a chance,” stated Shaq O’Neal on TNT.
