Jalen Brunson

For a player who so urgently encouraged his fellow New York Knicks teammates to have “short memories” after the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals’ heartbreaking losses, Jalen Brunson certainly had a way of making his playoff moments quite unforgettable. Unwilling to allow New York’s longest postseason party since 2000 to end on a whimper, Brunson introduces former teammate Obi Toppin to a future nightmare, subtly feigning his could-be method of attack expertly. Poised to strike after the Indiana Pacers’ forward eases his defensive approach just slightly, Brunson backsteps into a contested-yet-comfortable trifecta, plus a foul, bringing Madison Square Garden to its feet with a 4-point play. Like an impatient driver at a recently-turned-green light, Brunson’s offense sped up in a rush; a 14-point opening quarter led to 32 points (on 12-of-18 shooting) by buzzer’s sound, accompanied by five rebounds, five assists, one block, and four 3-pointers. Following in his lead on May 29, 2025, the Knicks successfully forced a Game Six, leaving them just two victories shy of the NBA Finals.