Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Brunson Keeps Promise to Knicks' MSG Companions
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Even on his days off, Jalen Brunson is hitting up Madison Square Garden.
Time will tell if Brunson, the energizer and point guard stabilizer behind the New York Knicks' resurgent season, will be able to suit up for the return to MSG hardwood when his team faces the Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets on Saturday afternoon (1 p.m. ET, MSG). But, blessed with some rare downtime in the final stages of the Knicks' regular season, Brunson fulfilled a promise made to his new neighbors, descending upon The World's Most Famous Arena to take in the New York Rangers' NHL showdown against the rival Pittsburgh Penguins.
Brunson showed his first interest in the Rangers (39-19-10) upon the latter's trade for former Chicago Blackhawks star and three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane, tweeting that he "need(ed) to get to a Rangers game this year" shortly after the deal was agreed upon. While Brunson, a Villanova alum, has retained his loyalty to the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, he sealed his dedication to the Rangers by donning Kane's new blue No. 88 jersey when he arrived for the Knicks' Mar. 1 win over Brooklyn.
The sweater returned on Thursday, worn by Brunson as he took in the Rangers' 4-2 victory over the Penguins. Though Pittsburgh kept Kane off the scoresheet, he has started to find his groove in New York after some early struggles, scoring five points over the last five games. The Rangers have posted a 4-0-1 record in that span and hold the fifth-best record in the NHL's Eastern Conference.
Worlds collided after the game, as Brunson and Kane met just outside the New York locker room, a get-together captured on social media. Further MSG synergy was hinted upon when Kane, who signed Brunson's replica, agreed to don the point guard's No. 11 Knicks jersey at a future contest.
With the NHL postseason looming, the Rangers are looking to build upon an appearance in last year's Eastern Confernce Finals. The Knicks and Rangers haven't shared MSG for postseason play since 2013.
An MSG doubleheader awaits on Sunday: after the Knicks host the Nuggets, the Rangers will finish off their season series with the Penguins in a nightcap (8 p.m. ET, ABC).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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