It wasn't supposed to happen like this. When Jalen Brunson signed that four-year, $104 million deal back in 2022, half the league’s "experts" laughed. They called it an overpay. They said he was a "small guard" who looked good only because he played next to Luka Dončić. Honestly, it feels like a lifetime ago.
Fast forward to early 2026. Brunson isn't just the starting point guard for the New York Knicks; he is the undisputed king of MSG.
The $100 Million Sacrifice
Last summer, Brunson did something that literally left front-office executives across the league scratching their heads. He left over $100 million on the table. By signing a four-year, $156.5 million extension early rather than waiting for the $270 million max he could have commanded in free agency, he gave the Knicks a gift.
Financial flexibility.
That money allowed Leon Rose to go out and secure the pieces that have turned this team into a juggernaut. We're talking about the arrival of Mikal Bridges and the blockbuster trade for Karl-Anthony Towns. Because Brunson decided he’d rather win than have the biggest bank account in the room, the Knicks avoided the "second apron" trap that is currently destroying other contenders' rosters. It's a level of selflessness you just don't see in the modern NBA.
He basically told the city, "I trust you, now go get me some help."
Breaking Records at Record Speed
Just a few days ago, on January 12, 2026, Brunson hit another milestone. During a 123-114 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, he officially cracked the top 20 on the Knicks' all-time scoring list. He passed Ray Williams to get there.
💡 You might also like: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
Here’s the wild part: it only took him 246 games.
To put that in perspective, Williams needed nearly 400 games to hit that mark. Brunson is climbing the franchise ladder at a pace we haven't seen since the days of Patrick Ewing or Bernard King. He’s currently averaging over 29 points and 6 assists per game this season. He has scored 20 or more points in 18 consecutive games.
The man is a machine.
The "Captain" Effect and the New Knicks Culture
For a long time, being a Knicks fan was... painful. The culture was a mess. But when they named Jalen Brunson the 36th captain in franchise history, everything shifted. You can feel it when you walk into the Garden. There's this "Magic is in the Work" mantra that he lives by, and it’s infectious.
He’s not a loud, rah-rah kind of leader. He’s the guy who stays late to work on his footwork. He’s the guy who takes the blame after a loss even if he dropped 40.
Evolving Under Mike Brown
One of the most interesting things about the 2025-26 season has been Brunson's evolution under new head coach Mike Brown. In the past, the "Thibs" era was all about Brunson having the ball in his hands for 20 seconds a possession. It worked, but it was exhausting.
📖 Related: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
Brown has changed the math.
- Off-ball movement: Brunson is playing more like Steph Curry lately. He’s coming off screens and hitting catch-and-shoot threes at a 50% clip.
- Three-point volume: For the first time in his career, he’s launching over 7 threes a night.
- Pace: The Knicks are playing faster, which is keeping Brunson’s legs fresh for the fourth quarter.
This shift has made him even more dangerous. You can't just double-team him at the top of the key anymore because he’s already relocated to the corner for a wide-open look. It’s a "pick your poison" scenario for opposing coaches.
Why the Postseason is Different Now
Let’s talk about the playoffs. We all remember the heartbreak of 2024 when he broke his hand in Game 7 against the Pacers. But in 2025, he led the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals in a quarter-century.
His playoff stats as a Knick are actually absurd:
- 2023: 27.8 PPG
- 2024: 32.4 PPG (including five 40-point games)
- 2025: 29.4 PPG
He just won the NBA Cup MVP in December 2025, leading the Knicks to a title in Las Vegas over the Spurs. He’s proven he can win trophies. Now, the only thing left is the big one. With a supporting cast of Bridges, KAT, and OG Anunoby, the excuses are gone. This is the best Knicks team of the 21st century, period.
Understanding the Nuance of His Game
People love to point out that Brunson isn't an elite defender. And yeah, statistically, he’s often in the lower percentiles for defensive impact. But if you watch the games, you see the charges he takes. You see him digging in against guys six inches taller than him.
👉 See also: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
He’s a "strong base" defender. He doesn't get bullied. In a playoff series, that grit matters more than a defensive rating spreadsheet.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season
If you're following the Knicks' run toward the 2026 playoffs, keep an eye on these specific factors that will determine if Brunson can actually bring a parade to Canyon of Heroes.
Monitor the Usage Rate
Watch if Brunson’s minutes stay under 35. Coach Brown is trying to preserve him. If his usage stays around 28%, he’ll have the "pop" needed for a deep June run.
The Villanova Chemistry
The "Nova Knicks" thing isn't just a meme. The defensive communication between Brunson, Bridges, and Josh Hart is telepathic. Watch how they switch on the perimeter without even talking; that’s where games are won.
The Three-Point Pivot
If Brunson continues to shoot 7+ threes a game at a high clip, it forces the defense to play him tight at 30 feet. This opens up the lane for Karl-Anthony Towns to operate in the post. This spacing is the "secret sauce" for the Knicks' current #1 ranked offense.
The Jalen Brunson era isn't just a purple patch. It's a total reimagining of what New York basketball can be when the star player decides that winning is more important than the spotlight.