Jalen Brunson has been as good as advertised after signing a four-year deal with the New York Knicks (21-18) as the crown jewel of their offseason moves over the summer.
To this point, Brunson has averaged career-highs in points (20.8 points) and assists (6.5) per game on 46.7 shooting from the field and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc. On Wednesday, Brunson set the tone of New York’s 117-114 win over the Spurs after scoring a career-high 38 points, seven board, and six dimes.
The 38-point outing left Popovich in a complimentary mood with the five-time champion saying Brunson’s “got it all.”
“He’s got it all,” Popovich said of Brunson, per Sports Illustrated. “He’s got the skill, but he’s also got the toughness. He’s got the basketball IQ to go with it. Just a hell of a competitor.”
Jalen Brunson dropped a regular season career-high to lead the Knicks to the W in MSG.
— NBA (@NBA) January 5, 2023
38 PTS
7 REB
6 AST pic.twitter.com/HcFmHRRSXC
Brunson knocked down three field goals over the final 3:02 minutes of the game to secure New York’s three-point win.
“Whatever it takes to win,” Brunson said. “I could have 38, or I could have three points. If we win, that’s all I really care about.”
