Jalen Brunson scores most 40-point playoff games since LeBron James / News - Basketnews.com

Jalen Brunson had 44 points in Game 5, which was the fifth time he scored over 40 in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, joining such players like LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Bernard King, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille O'Neal as the players who have scored the most 40-point games in a single postseason.

Credit: USA Today Sports – Scanpix Credit USA Today Sports – Scanpix

The New York Knicks are one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals after scoring a 121-91 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5.

Jalen Brunson

MIN:36.1PTS:29.38 (56.04%)REB:3.64As:6.84ST:0.91BL:0.17TO:2.48GM:88ProfileNBA2023/2024

Jalen Brunson dropped 44 points on 18-of-35 shots. It was the fifth time in these playoffs that Brunson has scored over 40 points and the first time since LeBron James did it eight times in 2018.

Brunson joined James (8), Michael Jordan (7), Allen Iverson (6), Bernard King (6), Hakeem Olajuwon (5), and Shaquille O'Neal (5) as the players who have scored the most 40-point games in a single postseason.

The Knicks star also had 4 rebounds and 7 assists in the Game 5 win, which gave New York a 3-2 series lead over the Pacers.

Jalen BrunsonCredit USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect-Scanpix

After the game, Brunson, though, downplayed the Knicks 30-point rout, saying the next game will be different.

"One game does not have any effect on the next. No matter what the situation is, whether you lose by one or lose by 30, it has nothing to do with the next game."

Most 40-point games in a single NBA playoff since 1980:

Player 40-point games Year LeBronJames 8 2018 Michael Jordan 7 1989 Allen Iverson 6 2001 Bernard King 6 1984 Michael Jordan 6 1990 & 1993 Jalen Brunson 5 2024 Shaquille O'Neal 5 2000 Hakeem Olajuwon 5 1995 Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.