Jalen Brunson Joins Michael Jordan and 2 Others in Rare NBA Playoff Record After Thrashing Joel Embiid and Co.

It might be a reach to compare Jalen Brunson to a legend like Michael Jordan, for what he is doing in the playoffs right now. However, the statistics never lie. The Philadelphia 76ers vs the New York Knicks turned out to become one of the best first-round matchups in the playoffs this year. Thanks to Joel Embiid and Big Body Brunson who have dropped a few stellar performances this season. However, the New York Knicks guard gets the upper hand, only because he has managed to enter the same conversation as Michael Jordan and two others. 

After game 6 today, Brunson is the fourth player in NBA history, to register more than 39 points in four straight games in playoffs. Los Angeles Lakers legend Jerry West was the first to do it in 1965, followed by Knicks icon Bernard King in 1984. MJ did it twice for the Chicago Bulls in both 1990 and 1993.

Brunson dropped 41 points today, which helped him attain the above feat, and also took the Knicks to the Conference Semi-Finals for the second straight year. 

Brunson had 39 points in game 3, 47 points in game 4, 40 points in game 5, and 41 today. The 27-year-old averaged 34.4 points, 8.4 assists, and 4.8 rebounds against the Sixers in this series. He is averaging the most points in the playoffs this year too. 

Brunson and Jordan do not have the same play style, but his game is very similar to that of Bernard King, who was a legendary small forward for the New York unit. A former basketball coach also made a comparison between the two. 

2x NBA Coach of the Year compares Brunson with Bernard King 

Hubie Brown, who is the commentator for ABC and ESPN shared in an interview, “When you think of Bernard, Brunson has the advantage of the 3-point shot, but even at his size, once he breaks that 3-point line, he’s a lot like Bernard. He can create when you defend him, even in a trap. They both have the IQ and the physical quickness, and that’s through hours and hours of practice.” 

He added a key pointer, “And then on top of that, just like Bernard, the physical pounding of doing that every play from frontline people. That is underrated in Brunson’s case because he’s on the floor so much.” We will see more of that from Brunson in his next matchup against the Indiana Pacers for the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. All eyes are on the young superstar as it has been 24 years since the Knicks made it to the Conference Finals. The Knicks lost to the Miami Heat last year in the second round. Let’s wait and watch what’s about to happen this time.