Epic 50 Burger for Brunson in Statement Win Over The Suns

"I'm just happy about the win. That's all I care about," Brunson said after his record-setting performance.

Someday in the not-too-distant future, when we're a bit older and a bit grayer, we'll be scrolling through Twitter (or X or whatever it might be called at that point) and find out it's being replayed on NBA TV. Or we'll get a text from a buddy who will let us know: Hey, turn on MSG. They are airing the "Jalen Brunson second half vs. the Suns" game right now!!

For those of you who may have missed it, Brunson had a performance for the ages in the Knicks 139-122 victory over the Suns Friday night in Phoenix. 

The Knicks starting point guard played well in the first half (15 points on 5-of-11 shooting), but the Knicks trailed the star-studded Suns by five heading into halftime. However, after the break, Brunson had one of the most incredible, efficient, amazing two quarters of basketball in franchise history. 

Over the 16 minutes he played in the second half, Jalen Bruson took 12 shots. He made them all. He took eight three-pointers. He made every single one. He became the first player to score 30 or more points in a half without missing a shot.

In a matchup that featured a player (Kevin Durant) that many believe is arguably the greatest scorer in recent history and another elite offensive stud (Devin Booker), Brunson was head-and-shoulders above his peers. In the second stanza, JB scored 35 points on 12 FG attempts. KD and Booker combined had 26 points on 24 shots. 

Brunson's final stat line from Friday seems like fan fiction:
50 points (17-of-23 FGs),
9 made three-pointers (on 9 attempts)
6 rebounds, 
9 assists,
5 steals

Per Basketball Reference, he became the first player since some dude named Michael Jordan to tally 50/5/5 with five steals. 

And Mr. Jalen Brunson became the first and only player in NBA history with at least 50 points, five rebounds, five assists, five steals AND five made three-pointers in a single game. He's also the only player ever to score 50 points and attempt more than eight three-pointers without missing a single one.

As if Knicks fans couldn't love Brunson anymore, he handled himself with incredible class after his record-setting night. "It's cool," Brunson told reporters. "I'm just happy about the win. That's all I care about."

Some players make similar statements, but Brunson's actions, as usual, speak louder than words. 

Arguably the most impressive "Jalen Brunson play" on a night the man poured in 50 freakin' points - was a steal and assist.

Halfway through the fourth quarter of a close game, JB uses his smarts to strip Nurk. Brunson then - even though he had not yet set his career high - unselfishly dishes off to Julius Randle so his teammate can get an easy dunk.

That one play tells you everything you need to know about the Knicks' point guard.

On the court, mere minutes after the game ended, Brunson deflected individual praise and wanted to focus on team success and the big picture. "We have to continue to get better," Brunson told MSG's Mike Breen. "Everyone was on the same page, and we have to continue to stay on that page."

During his post-game press conference, when reporters asked him about his incredible 50-point performance, Brunson replied: "It's cool. I'm just happy about the win. That's all I care about."

Knicks fans simply can not ask for a better leader for their franchise.

Other Takeaways and Knicks Notes:

🏀 It was nice to see RJ Barrett snap out of his nasty slump, tallying 21 points (6-of-10 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and one 3-pointer against Phoenix. While Barrett's FG% and 3PT% have nosedived in recent weeks, he's consistently knocked down his free throws. RJ was a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe vs. the Suns and is up over 84% from the line on the season.

🏀 Julius Randle has another solid all-around effort, racking up 23 points, eight boards and six dimes in 36 minutes. He also continues to score efficiently. After converting on 10 of his 16 FG attempts Friday night, Randle is now shooting a scorching 60% from the floor over his last eight games. 

Speaking with Stefan Bondy of the NY Post, Randle explained how he's adjusted his game this season, particularly taking fewer three-pointers. "Just playing to my strengths and understanding spots on the court where I can get high-percentage shots where I can either get a high-percentage shot, or they double me, and I can kick out and play-make for my teammates," Randle said. "So I understand who I am as a player. While I can shoot the ball and make a ton of 3s, I understand who I am as a player, what my strengths are." 

Randle added: "You can look back at who I was as a player before I got here. A lot of it was taking it to the basket, attacking the rim. As the years have gone on, I've added more to my game and gotten better as a player. While I can do those other things, it's still who I am as a player." 

🏀 After a dud in Saturday's loss to the Jazz, Quentin Grimes bounced back with a solid showing on Friday, knocking down three of his six 3PT attempts en route to nine points in 15 minutes off the bench… Based on his modest counting stats (6/2/2), you wouldn't suspect it, but Josh Hart was a key contributor to New York's second-half surge. Hart finished a game-high +34 in his 29 minutes of action… Jericho Sims started at center again but didn't make much of an impact (five points, three boards). Fortunately, Isaiah Hartenstein stuffed the stat sheet with seven points (2-of-2 FGs), eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and three blocks…. Immanuel Quickley made the most of his limited playing time, chipping in ten points, five boards, three assists and two steals in 24 minutes. 

🏀 We know all too well how New Yorkers have suffered through putrid point guard play over the past two decades. Consider this: In the decade before Brunson arrived in New York (from 2012 through 2022), only two Knicks starting PGs scored 35+ points in an entire game: Kemba Walker (once in 2021) and Jeremy Lin (once in 2012). Brunson had 35 points in the second half last night. 

Brunson is the first Knicks PG to score 50 and just the eighth Knick ever, joining: Bernard King (5x), Richie Guerin (3x), Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston and Carmelo Anthony (2x) and Willis Reed, Julius Randle and Jamal Crawford (once). 

🏀 During this current calendar year, Brusson ranks seventh in total points scored among all players, trailing only Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

🏀 Kevin Durant had some lofty praise for JB following his 50 Burger. "That's his franchise," said Durant. "And he's going to be a Hall of Fame player by the end of his career the way he's playing out there." Friday was the first time Duant lost to a Knicks team since 2013. 

🏀 Solid Zinger from Thibs post-game! "I told his father, 'He had your career in one night," Thibodeau said, referring to his assistant, Rick.

🏀 Some additional Brunson tidbits courtesy of Justin Kubatko's Substack: Brunson was a perfect 9-9 from 3-point range, tying the NBA record for most 3-pointers made in a game without a miss. The other two players in his club are Latrell Sprewell and Ben Gordon (who did it twice). 

Overall, Brunson made 17 of his 23 shots from the field, the highest field goal percentage ever recorded by a Knick in a 50-point game:
73.9% — Jalen Brunson (Dec. 15, 2023)
72.4% — Willis Reed (Nov. 1, 1967)
71.4% — Bernard King (Feb. 1, 1984)
71.0% — Patrick Ewing (Dec. 1, 1990)
69.2% — Carmelo Anthony (April 2, 2013)

🏀 Next Up: Saturday night vs. the Clippers in Los Angeles. 

After that exhilarating performance and victory, the Knicks didn't have much time to celebrate. They had to hop on a plane and head straight to LA to take on the surging Clippers. 

The Clips' victory over the Warriors on Thursday was their sixth straight victory. In that contest, LA was playing without Paul George, who missed his first game of the season due to a left hip injury, but James Harden stepped up, tallying a season-high 28 points, 15 assists and seven rebounds. Kawhi Leonard added 27 points and eight rebounds. The Clippers are listing George as questionable for Saturday night.