After a scare in the previous game against the Kings, when Davion Mitchell involuntarily fell with all his weight on his left ankle, his presence against the Bulls last night was anything but certain, and the Knicks did not confirm it until an hour before the start of the match.
But to listen Jalen Brunson, there was actually no shadow of a doubt that he was going to play on the floor of the United Center. And it is an understatement to say that it was good news for the Knicks, who were able to win after the effort against the Bulls, largely thanks to the composure of their leader in overtime, author of his own. alone with 7 of the team’s 11 points over this period.
With a strong image to conclude: this final decisive award-winning shot in the very last minute, in front of the Bulls bench after a change of support which left Alex Caruso on the buttocks. The leader of the Knicks, often taciturn on the ground, then letting his emotions speak, after this “dagger” which punctuated a new individual performance of very high quality (30 points and 7 assists).
” I just didn’t want to take a day off » he then assured the New York Post. ” As I am one of the leaders of this team, if I can walk, then I play. And I’m going all out. »
Take Me Back To Chicago
But Jalen Brunson’s desire to play at all costs was also driven by another reason: Chicago. It was definitely not a match like any other, for the native of New Jersey who spent much of his adolescence in “Windy City”, when his father Rick was an assistant in the staff of Tom Thibodeau in the early 2010s, before taking up residence on the Villanova campus.
At Adlai Stevenson High School, north of Chicago, a young Jalen Brunson quickly became one of the very best of the high school class of 2015, signing with Villanova as the second best leader of the vintage.
” It means a lot to me [de revenir jouer à Chicago]. I love playing in this state, I still have a lot of friends here. It’s a place that holds a special place in my heart. » he continuedbefore paying a nice tribute to Derrick Rose, at the height of his career with the Bulls when Jalen Brunson was a high school student, and with whom he has forged a strong relationship over the past ten years. ” I think it’s even more special to have this moment with Derrick, to be back here with him. He’s been a great mentor to me, and he’s a very dear friend. »
The final word for his coach, with whom it is not new either.
” That says a lot about him “Concluded “Thibs”, after the narrow victory to which his leader, injured two days before, greatly contributed. ” On the morning of the match, he received several treatments [pour sa cheville]. […] But he always has a strategy. He always manages to show up on the field, and do his part of the job. »
| Jalen Brunson | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2018-19 | DAL | 73 | 22 | 46.7 | 34.8 | 72.5 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 9.3 |
| 2019-20 | DAL | 57 | 18 | 46.6 | 35.8 | 81.3 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 8.2 |
| 2020-21 | DAL | 68 | 25 | 52.3 | 40.5 | 79.5 | 0.4 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 12.6 |
| 2021-22 | DAL | 79 | 32 | 50.2 | 37.3 | 84.0 | 0.5 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 16.3 |
| 2022-23 | NYK | 27 | 32 | 46.4 | 32.4 | 88.3 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 6.3 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 20.1 |
| Total | 304 | 25 | 49.0 | 36.7 | 81.6 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 12.6 | |
