Jalen Brunson

It wasn’t quite Game Seven of the 1970 NBA Finals. But, the message nonetheless remained all the same a half-century later in December 9, 2024’s regular-season game: when the New York Knicks’ All-Stars emerge from the tunnel in preparation of fighting off an injury, great things follow. Back from an ankle tweak, and now poised to inevitably take his spot among the night’s heroes, Jalen Brunson attacks New York’s sideline-out-of-bounds set urgently, racing to receive the ball once more, immediately after passing it. Holding both a dribble, and the Toronto Raptors’ defensive investment, the All-NBA guard hypnotizes the opposition long enough to slice a bullet-like bounce pass through the lane, collecting what ultimately became the game-clinching assist. Ranked among the NBA’s top-10 in points created on drives during each of the last four seasons, Brunson used his reputation advantageously, guiding the blue-and-orange to its fifth consecutive win in six games. Heroic during his six-minute return down the stretch, Brunson concluded with 20 points (7-of-13 shooting), four rebounds, 11 assists, and four 3-pointers.