New York Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson Wins Another Player of the Month Award
The NBA announced on Tuesday that point guard Jalen Brunson was the Eastern Conference's Player of the Month, bestowing him his second such title as a member of the New York Knicks (and first since February 2023).
Over his last 12 appearances in the month (remoing a 47-second appearance in Cleveland and a missed game vs. Atlanta), Brunson averaged 31.2 points and 6.3 ssists while shooting over 48 percent from the field.
His efforts continue to stand as the Knicks' headlining feats while fellow starters OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, and Mitchell Robinson continue to rehab their respective long-term injuries. Despite their departures, Brunson continues to keep the Knicks (44-30) in the upper portions of the Eastern Conference playof picture, as they sit in fourth place entering play on Tuesday night.
Though the Knicks dropped consecutive games for the first time since the end of February, Brunson was a stone's throw away from franchise history, scoring 61 points in an overtime tilt in San Antonio on Friday night, one short of Carmelo Anthony's 10-year-old mark. Brunson also nearly had the winner on Easter Sunday against Oklahoma City before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander countered his double on the other end. This also marks the first time the Knicks have had a Player of the Month in consecutive seasons since Anthony did so on his own from 2011 through 2013.
Tuesday's reveal carried a sense of irony: winning on the Western side was Brunson friend and former professional teammate Luka Doncic, repping the Dallas Mavericks. Brunson's New York journey, of course, began when he came over from North Texas, where he spent his first four NBA seasons before signing a four-year, $104 million contract with the Knicks.
GEOFF MAGLIOCCHETTI
Editor-In-Chief at All Knicks