Jalen Brunson

As the Philadelphia 76ers can certainly attest, much has changed since last spring, when they entered the 2024 NBA Playoffs with hopes of parlaying a finally-healthy lineup into an opening-round series win over the New York Knicks. On February 26, 2025, though, they received a harsh reminder of one thing that hadn’t fluctuated in the slightest: Jalen Brunson’s proficiency under pressure. Once positioned to have the inside track for 2024-25’s Clutch Player of the Year Award, Brunson — No. 1 in crunchtime points, and on 52 percent shooting pre-injury — prepares to introduce Philadelphia to a recurring nightmare during the final minute-and-a-half. Lulling Tyrese Maxey first into a daze with a deceptive dribble, Brunson rises into a 3-pointer that threateningly rattles around before cooperating, uniting New York's faithful in celebration. Brunson’s late-game execution became a top-fold story, and box score brilliance followed behind, as he produced a 34-point, three-rebound, seven-assist, one-steal evening, with noteworthy efficiency overall (8-of-17), from 3-point range (three-of-five), and from the charity stripe (15-of-17).