If you’ve ever watched a New York Knicks game and felt like the opposing defenders were constantly a step slow or reaching at air, you aren't crazy. There’s a specific, rhythmic awkwardness to the way Jalen Brunson moves. It’s calculated. It’s surgical. And yeah, it’s mostly because of his dominant hand.
Is Jalen Brunson left handed?
The short answer: Yes, Jalen Brunson is left handed. He is one of the most prolific "southpaw" scorers the NBA has seen in years.
While being a lefty might seem like a minor detail, in the world of professional basketball, it’s basically a superpower. Most NBA players are right-handed, which means they spend 99% of their lives guarding other righties. When they run into a guy like Brunson, their muscle memory betrays them. Every time a defender tries to "shade" him toward his weak hand, they realize—too late—that they just gave him a direct path to his favorite spot.
The Advantage of the Southpaw Stroke
It’s honestly kind of funny to watch.
✨ Don't miss: Liechtenstein National Football Team: Why Their Struggles are Different Than You Think
Defenders instinctively jump to contest a right-handed shot. Brunson just leans the other way. By the time the defender adjusts their feet, the ball is already leaving his left hand with that high, soft arc he's famous for.
Basically, being left-handed allows Brunson to "invert" the court. When he drives to the rim, he’s using his body as a shield in a way that feels unnatural for a standard defender to navigate. He isn't the fastest guy on the court. He isn't the tallest. But because is Jalen Brunson left handed is a fact that messes with scouting reports, he finds angles that shouldn't exist.
Why the "Left-Handed" Tag Matters for the Knicks
The Knicks have a weird history with lefties. Recently, the team has been loaded with them. Think back to the 2023-24 season when the roster featured Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and Isaiah Hartenstein—all lefties. It was a statistical anomaly that turned the Garden into a nightmare for visiting teams.
But Brunson is the one who makes it all work.
🔗 Read more: Cómo entender la tabla de Copa Oro y por qué los puntos no siempre cuentan la historia completa
His shooting mechanics are actually pretty fascinating to break down if you're a hoop nerd. Unlike some players who have a "hitch" in their shot, Brunson’s release is incredibly fluid. He uses a quick side-step to his right, which sets up his left-handed jumper perfectly.
- Release Point: High and slightly toward his left shoulder.
- The "V" Angle: His elbow stays tucked, creating a straight line to the rim.
- The Finish: He has one of the best "touch" shots in the league, often using glass from angles that make no sense.
Honestly, it's not just about the shot. It’s the footwork. Brunson’s father, Rick Brunson (who also played for the Knicks), taught him that "the magic is in the work." That work resulted in a pivot game that belongs in a ballet. He’ll use his left-handed dominance to bait a defender, then pivot onto his right foot and fade away. It's almost impossible to block.
A Career Built on Being "Different"
Brunson has been proving people wrong since his days at Villanova. People said he was too small. They said he wouldn't be able to finish at the rim against NBA size.
They forgot one thing: they have to catch him first.
💡 You might also like: Ohio State Football All White Uniforms: Why the Icy Look Always Sparks a Debate
During the 2025-26 season, Brunson has continued to torch the league, even winning the Eastern Conference Player of the Month in December 2025. He’s averaging nearly 30 points a game. Most of those points come from him manipulating defenders who know he’s going left but can’t do a single thing about it.
Is he strictly left-handed?
Interestingly, like many "southpaws" in the league, Brunson is quite capable with his right hand. You'll see him finish "and-one" layups with his right hand more often than you'd think. However, when the game is on the line and he needs a bucket, he's going to that left-handed floater or the step-back three every single time.
Practical Takeaways for Basketball Players
If you’re a lefty trying to model your game after JB, pay attention to these three things he does better than anyone:
- The Shield: Use your right shoulder to keep the defender away from the ball. Since you're shooting with your left, your right side is your primary armor.
- Pace over Power: Brunson rarely sprints. He moves at a "kinda-fast, kinda-slow" pace that keeps defenders off-balance.
- The Pivot: Master the reverse pivot. Because people expect you to drive left, the moment you pivot back toward the middle, you'll have all the space you need.
The reality is that is Jalen Brunson left handed isn't just a trivia fact—it's the core of his identity as a basketball player. It’s what makes him "Captain Clutch" in New York. If he were right-handed, he might still be a good player, but he wouldn't be the nightmare-inducing superstar that has the Knicks dreaming of a championship.
If you want to improve your own scoring, stop trying to be the most athletic person in the gym. Instead, look at how Brunson uses his natural "lefty" advantage to dictate the flow of the game. Watch his footwork during the next Knicks game; notice how he never lets the defender dictate where he goes. That’s the real secret. You don't need a 40-inch vertical if you have a left hand that nobody can figure out.
Next Steps to Understand Brunson's Game:
To truly see this in action, watch a condensed replay of his 47-point performance against the Miami Heat from December 2025. Pay close attention to how many times he drives toward the right elbow only to spin back to his left hand. It’s a masterclass in using "handedness" to manipulate space. You can also track his shooting splits on sites like Basketball-Reference to see how his efficiency from the left side of the floor compares to league averages.