NEW YORK — Jalen Brunson has made a significant impact on the New York Knicks’ franchise history following another impressive performance, scoring 44 points in a commanding 140-106 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. This remarkable feat ties him with Carmelo Anthony for third place in franchise history for the most games scoring 40 or more points, with this being his 17th such game as a Knick. The only players ahead of him on the list are Hall of Famers Patrick Ewing and Bernard King, showcasing how quickly Brunson has risen in just his third season with the team.

Coach Tom Thibodeau expressed admiration for Brunson’s determination, especially considering the shoulder injury that sidelined him briefly during the game. After being blocked while driving to the basket, Brunson remained on the floor for a short time, indicating he needed to exit. After examining his injury, described by Thibodeau as a shoulder stinger, Brunson decided he was fit enough to return to action after a brief evaluation of his strength by the medical staff.

Brunson’s early game intensity was notable as he dropped 23 points in the first quarter alone, just shy of his career record for any quarter. The deferent nature in which he approaches the game and his teammates did not go unnoticed by Thibodeau. The coach emphasized that Brunson’s drive for victory outweighs any personal accolades he might gain. “He just wants to win,” Thibodeau stated, noting Brunson would be equally satisfied with two points if it meant a team win.

When Brunson returned to the court, he was met with a warm reception from fans, quickly jogging to the scorer’s table to rejoin the game. After the match, he addressed the media regarding his shoulder injury, hinting the true extent would be clarified by doctors before the next game against Detroit.

In a light-hearted twist, Brunson’s podcast, “The Roommates Show,” which he hosts with teammate Josh Hart, humorously suggested that the guard was just checking in on the Eagles game while he was away from the court. Hart supported this playful narrative, stating, “Yeah, he wanted to see the score of the Eagles game,” implying a different reason for his brief absence rather than an injury concern.