Michael Jordan’s impressive NBA playoff record matched by Knicks star Jalen Brunson vs Detroit

The New York Knicks have secured a valuable lead in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Detroit Pistons. After four games, they are up 3-1 and could close out the series this Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. One of the key contributors to that success has been Jalen Brunson, whose performances have not only propelled the team but also allowed him to tie a remarkable record held by Michael Jordan.

Brunson became the first player in the last 27 years to begin the playoffs by scoring 30 or more points in each of his first four games. The last player to do so was, of course, Jordan in 1998, during his final season with the Chicago Bulls—the famous ‘Last Dance.’

The Knicks won Game 1 of the series against Detroit 123-112, with Jalen leading the team with 34 points. In Game 2, they lost 100-94, but the guard still stood out with 37 points. And in the two games played at Little Caesars Arena, Brunson was key to New York’s victories: 30 points in Game 3 and 32 points in the next.

With these performances, Brunson gave the Knicks a huge boost in their quest to reach the Eastern Conference semifinals for the third straight year. He also validated what he showed during the regular season, when his performances earned him the Clutch Player of the Year award.

Michael Jordan was the last player to score 30 or more points in his first four playoff games.

Michael Jordan’s incredible numbers

Although Jalen Brunson ended a 27-year stretch without any other NBA player scoring 30 or more points in their first four playoff games, the Knicks guard is still far from competing with Michael Jordan in this category.

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The Chicago Bulls legend wasn’t just the last player to hit that mark—he did it in four different postseasons. And not only that: MJ once strung together six consecutive playoff games with 30 or more points to start a postseason.

The first time Jordan did it was in 1988, hitting the 30-point mark in five games of the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers before falling to Detroit in the semifinals. A year later, the shooting guard did it again against Cleveland—this time for six straight games, including the opening matchup of the semifinals against the Knicks.

The third instance came in 1992, with the first three games against the Miami Heat and Game 1 of the semifinals against the Knicks. The last time was in 1998, when he surpassed 30 points in all three games against the New Jersey Nets and the first game against the Charlotte Hornets in the following round.

Brunson can still improve his streak

This Tuesday night, the Knicks and Pistons will return to Madison Square Garden. With the series 3-1 in favor of New York, Game 5 could be the last if they secure another win. In that scenario, Jalen Brunson will have a chance to extend his streak to five straight games with 30 or more points, matching a feat Jordan last accomplished in 1989.