Jalen Brunson ‘paints’ name into playoff record books

Jalen Brunson ranks 1st among guards in points in the paint per game during a single Playoff run (since 1996-97).

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What Jalen Brunson has done this postseason — 41+ mpg, 33+ ppg, 7+ apg through 11 games — has only been accomplished by three players:

Michael Jordan (1989)LeBron James (2018, 2009)Devin Booker (2023)

But in other ways, what the 6-foot-2 Brunson has accomplished hasn’t been seen by anyone in at least a quarter-century.

The Fire Inside: At times during these Playoffs, Brunson’s looked unstoppable, getting into the paint at will – no matter what defenses throw at him. Especially in the clutch. And at his position, that puts him in a class of one. Ever.

Paint Production: Brunson ranks 1st among guards in points in the paint per game (14.7) during a single Playoff run, dating back to when the stat was first tracked in 1996-97 (min. 6 games)Getting 2 The Hoop: Brunson leads these Playoffs with 112 2-point field goals made, four more than the next closest player (Jokic, 108)Dicing Double Teams: Brunson has drawn 30 double teams against the Pacers, and the Knicks have averaged 1.23 points on those possessions, above their 1.18 Playoff average🗣️ Brunson: “I’m obviously not the fastest or strongest. I can’t jump the highest. But I’m relentless… I always have a plan.“

Brunson leads the NBA with 33.9 points per game this postseason, joining some of the biggest names in team and league history as he’s done it.

With his 44 points on Tuesday, Brunson joined Jerry West, MJ, and LeBron as the only players in NBA history to record 5+ games with 40+ points and 5+ assists in a single postseasonWith 27 points tonight, Brunson would become the fifth Knick to score 400+ points in a postseason, joining Patrick Ewing, Willis Reed, Bernard King and Latrell SprewellHis 373 points are the 15th most all-time through the first 11 games of a postseason and the most since Kevin Durant in 2019 (376)Trivia! In Game 5, Brunson became the 5th Knick to record 10 or more career 30+ point Playoff games, can you list the other four?

Brunson also leads the playoffs in usage rate (36.4), with his impact only increasing when it matters most — peaking at a Playoffs-high 48% in the clutch. (min 3 GP).

🗣️ Tom Thibodeau on Brunson to the media: “You talk about him a lot, and rightfully so — but it’s not enough… His play has been spectacular.”