Knicks rising star Jalen Brunson named NBA Player of the Week

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Dec 14, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after making a three-pointer against the Chicago Bulls in overtime at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson was named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week after a dominant stretch that saw him leading the team to a 3-1 record.

Brunson averaged 34.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists with a ridiculous 52/50/97 shooting split over his last four games. He started the week with a career-high 44 points, along with seven rebounds and four assists, in a tough 111-107 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks at home last Monday.

The Knicks quickly bounced back with three straight wins.

Brunson had a pair of 34-point efforts and clutch plays against Indiana and Washington. In the nation’s capital, he flirted with a triple-double (8 rebounds and 8 assists). He capped the week with 27 points, five rebounds, and four assists in Detroit.

Brunson beat teammate Julius Randle, whose 42-point, 15-rebound game in Detroit was the first of its kind in franchise history since Patrick Ewing in 1996, Philadelphia’s 1-2 punch Joel Embiid and James Harden, Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Miami’s Gabe Vincent for the weekly award.

The 26-year-old Brunson became the first Knicks player to be feted with the weekly honors after Kemba Walker last season.

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