Jalen Brunson’s Heroic Performance Leads Knicks to Victory
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau couldn’t hide his pride as he praised Jalen Brunson’s remarkable showing in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Brunson’s stellar performance, featuring 38 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, propelled the Knicks to a crucial 112-103 victory over the Miami Heat, forcing a Game 6 showdown.
Beyond the eye-popping numbers, what truly amazed Thibodeau was the 48 minutes displayed in the “minutes” column. Brunson not only led his team offensively but played every single second of the game, ensuring the Knicks a chance to fight another day.
“What can you say about the guy?” Thibodeau exclaimed, bursting with admiration. “He’s just incredible—an all-around player. Great leader, great toughness. Mental toughness, physical toughness, ability to think on his feet, ability to lead, ability to connect with people, bring the best out of people. That’s what makes him special. And it’s play after play.”
Brunson’s relentless performance set the tone for the Knicks’ resurgence. With a 19-point lead almost slipping away, Brunson continued to make pivotal shots down the stretch. After being outworked and out-hustled in Games 3 and 4, the Knicks and Brunson left everything they had on the Madison Square Garden floor.
“Just tried to do everything I could to win,” Brunson said matter-of-factly. “We did that. Now it’s onto Game 6.”
While Brunson remained humble about his extraordinary performance, his teammates and coach couldn’t contain their praise. This unforgettable night will forever be etched into Knicks lore, a testament to Brunson’s incredible talent and leadership.
“That’s JB,” Knicks All-Star forward Julius Randle said. “That’s what he’s been doing all year. Ultimately, at the core of who he is, he’s a competitor and he wants to win. So he left it all out there tonight. He carried us in a big way.”
Brunson’s impressive performance didn’t go unnoticed by Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry, who commended his fellow Villanova alum as a “great talent.”
“That man has played 45 minutes and 48 minutes the last couple of games,” Lowry said. “You have to give him credit for being aggressive and continuing to attack.”
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra’s response to Brunson and Quentin Grimes playing 48 minutes in the second half was to keep Jimmy Butler on the floor for the entire second half, recognizing the need to capitalize on momentum.
Brunson’s dedication to the game and work ethic has long been recognized by Thibodeau. In fact, according to ESPN Stats & Information research, the last time Thibodeau played someone for an entire playoff game was in 2014 with Jimmy Butler in Chicago. Brunson and Grimes also became the first Knicks duo to achieve this feat since Walt Frazier and Jerry Lucas in 1972.
Thibodeau expressed confidence in Brunson’s ability to handle the workload again in Game 6, as he has always believed that Brunson was ready for this moment. Brunson’s unwavering commitment to preparation and his leadership qualities have solidified his place in Thibodeau’s admiration.
“I’ve never seen anyone work the way he does,” Thibodeau said of Brunson. “And he does it in front of everyone, he does it in our gym, does it all summer long, he does it at a game speed. He never has to adjust in a game because of the way he prepares himself. He conditions himself to play big minutes. Just a tremendous leader.”