“…Come out and figure out what you have to do to win the next one,” said Jalen Brunson — and he meant every word. In Game 6 at Little Caesars Arena, he backed it up, silencing a hostile, sold-out crowd of 20,062 with a playoff-high 40-point performance. After a frustrating Game 5 at the Garden, this was pure retribution. Brunson wasn’t just trying to win — he was determined to finish it. And he did.

Well, the Pistons were moments away from forcing Game 7, as they led the Knicks by seven points with a little over two minutes remaining. But Brunson was adamant about sending the Detroit team packing tonight. He scored five quick points and brought the Knicks back into the game. Then, Mikal Bridges tipped in a missed shot to tie the score. With twenty seconds left on the clock, the ball went back to Brunson. He put Ausar Thompson on skates with a nasty crossover and hit the game-winning three to end the Pistons’ season. JB’s series clinching shot even got the rare double “Bang!” call from the legend himself, Mike Breen.

Turns out, Brunson’s historic 40-point performance also helped Magic Johnson get over the heartbreak of the Lakers’ brutal first round exit. “When it was time to win Jalen Brunson scored 40 points including a game winning three that was set up by one of the most unbelievable crossover dribbles I’ve ever seen! The New York Knicks closed out the Detroit Pistons 4-2 in a thriller!” The Hall of Famer tweeted, excited after the Knicks won.

It was only last night that Magic was in a completely different mood. He had just watched the Timberwolves eliminate LeBron James and Co. for their second straight first-round exit. The Lakers legend even tweeted where his team went wrong, as he congratulated the Wolves, “Congratulations to my good friend Minnesota Timberwolves owner Alex Rodriguez, superstar Anthony Edwards and the entire Minnesota Timberwolves team for beating my Lakers and advancing to the next round. The reason the Lakers lost was because they played awful on defense, they were too small, and the Timberwolves dominated them in the paint.”

However, it looks like Brunson’s epic performance has helped him forget last night’s heartbreak, even if for a brief moment. Of course, Magic was not the only person raving about JB’s dominance.

Stephen A. Smith joins Knicks community to celebrate Jalen Brunson and Co.’s first-round victory

Before igniting his late-game heroics, Brunson had struggled throughout the fourth quarter. But like a true leader determined to rewrite the script from “couldn’t close” to “comeback king,” he flipped the switch in the final two minutes.

First, a clutch jumper over Dennis Schröder — leaving the veteran guard shaking his head in disbelief. Then came the biggest shot of the Knicks’ season: a cold-blooded bucket over Thompson, the one Magic Johnson himself called out. That late flurry turned Brunson’s 28.6% fourth-quarter shooting into something far more meaningful — a reminder that greatness isn’t about perfection, but timing.

Soon after Brunson hit the dagger three to lead his team to victory, Knicks fans were left in awe of the point guard’s clutch gene. Sure enough, the first in line was New York’s own Stephen A. Smith. “YYYEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!! Brunson to the rescue. Go NY! Go NY! GOOOOO!!!!!!!” The ESPN veteran tweeted.

Even former player turned analyst Jay Williams chimed in, “Clutch isn’t a stat. It’s a mindset. And Jalen Brunson has it in his DNA. 1st in usage. 1st in FG made. Just hit the dagger to send Detroit home. Keep doubting him—he keeps closing. That’s not luck. That’s legacy in the making.” Yes, Brunson has been clutch for the Knicks all year long. His 5.6 points per game in clutch situations was the highest in the league this season. And he proved his worth once again tonight.

Just like the two analysts, other Knicks fans also celebrated Brunson’s performance, as one wrote, “Good times in NY again” while another boldly claimed, “Jalen Brunson will someday be remembered as the best player in Knicks history.” As of now, Patrick Ewing is widely considered the greatest Knicks player of all time. However, Brunson is gradually starting to make his case.

During his three-year tenure, he has made two All-Star selections and led his team to three Conference semis. But he will truly earn that greatest Knick tag when he leads them to a championship, or at least the NBA Finals. Like Ewing did twice.

For that to happen, Brunson will have to continue this form, especially against their next opponents. “What a shot. Now all the momentum heading to Boston!!” One fan pointed out. Yes, the Knicks will face the Celtics next, which will arguably be the biggest test of Brunson’s career. Surely, dethroning the reigning champs will solidify his case of being the greatest Knicks player ever. Do you think he can achieve this feat?