Gregg Popovich, Who Has Coached Against Kobe Bryant & LeBron James, Spellbound by Jalen Brunson’s 60-Point Night

In an insane overtime battle between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks, Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson had a legendary night, despite falling short in a 130-126 loss to the Spurs. Brunson, on a heater, poured in a career-high 61 points on 25-of-47 shooting, even impressing NBA legend Gregg Popovich, the current head coach of the Spurs.

When asked about Brunson’s incredible performance, Coach Gregg commented, “[Brunson] ended up with 60? So my defensive strategy didn’t work very well!” However, that’s not all he had to say!

When asked if the seasoned coach has seen a game like that, Coach Gregg stated, “I don’t think so, I don’t think I’ve seen (a game like) that!” This comes from the legend who coached the likes of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, from a name synonymous with coaching greatness. Coach Gregg continues to add chapters to his already legendary story.  Popovich, the undisputed king of the NBA win column with a staggering 1,366 victories, made his position elite in March 2022 when he surpassed the record previously held by legendary coach Don Nelson.  This comes from his incredibly long 27-year tenure with the Spurs, a stretch that places him among the league’s top 6 coaches with the longest reigns.

Brunson Blazes, Wembanyama Shines

In the mail-biter of a clash at the AT&T Center, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson had a career-defining night when he shelled out a career-high 61 points on 25-of-47 shooting. His offensive explosion was the most shot attempts by any player since Kobe Bryant’s farewell performance in 2016, where he dropped 60 points on 50 attempts.

However, Brunson’s insane performance was overshadowed by the brilliance of San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama. The 20-year-old phenom bagged a career-best 40 points, 20 rebounds, and 7 assists, pushing the Spurs to a 130-126 victory despite their playoff hopes being extinguished completely. Wembanyama’s performance included the first 40-point, 20-rebound game by a rookie since Shaquille O’Neal in 1993, cementing his claim for Rookie of the Year accolades.

Even in defeat, Brunson’s performance got his props from coaching royalty, Gregg Popovich. The Spurs, led by a legendary coach and a generational talent, pose a massive threat to the entire league next season.

While the Knicks with a record of 44 wins over 29 losses now set their sights on facing another talented rookie team Oklahoma City’s Chet on Sunday, the Spurs, who are out of the playoffs, look to play spoiler once again as they host the Golden State Warriors. Can the Spurs pull off another upset? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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