Jalen Brunson establishes Knicks’ championship standard with historic performance in 39-point Game 1 win over 76ers

The New York Knicks kept their momentum in a Game 1  win against the Philadelphia 76ers. New York defeated the 76ers 137-98, and it really wasn’t close throughout the entire game. Much of the credit belongs to Jalen Brunson, who scored a game-high 35 points. That 35-point outing made him the all-time leader in 35-point playoff games in New York Knicks history. And his outburst was so effortless that it could easily inspire belief that he’ll keep doing more of the same, ultimately leading the Knicks to their first NBA Championship in more than 50 seasons.

Jalen Brunson led Knicks to impressive Game 1 win

Brunson scored a very smooth 35 points in just 31 minutes of action in Game 1. He scored 19 first-quarter points. And he ended the first half with 27.  Brunson made the 76ers pay for playing drop coverage. And hunted Embiid, punishing Philadelphia for having the seemingly immobile seven-footer on the floor.

Sure, Embiid complained about foul baiting, which is absurd given that the 76ers shot twice the free throws of the Knicks, 34-17. But posturing aside, Brunson looked as sharp as ever. And the scarier part for Philadelphia—and frankly, the rest of the remaining teams in the playoffs—is that Brunson has been playing exactly this way since an argument with his Dad and Knicks’ assistant coach Rick Brunson late in Game 3 of the first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks.

In the past four games, Brunson is averaging 27.5 points, 5.5 assists, 1.25 steals, and just 2 turnovers per game (and six of those turnovers came in Game 4 against Atlanta). He’s connected on 42% of his 3-point attempts. And he’s averaging one fewer 3-point attempt and more than two fewer field goal attempts per game than he did in the regular season. That shows a self-aware player who was open to receiving the message—even from his father—that he needed to force fewer shots.

More to come for Jalen Brunson?

Looking back to recent success versus Philadelphia, Brunson has scored 35 or more points in five straight playoff games against the 76ers. While that is a difficult statistic to recreate time and again, there seems to be something about the 76ers’ defense that enables Brunson. Maybe it’s the opportunity to put guys like Embiid on him in pick-and-roll action. Maybe they simply lack a top-tier point of attack defender like the Hawks’ Dyson Daniels. Or maybe he’s simply been scorching hot.

Whatever the reason, Bronson looks like a man possessed against Philadelphia. And head coach Mike Brown would be wise to give his star player an unlimited green light.

The Knicks will look to go up 2-0 against Philadelphia when they tip off Game 2 at Madison Square Garden. Teams that open a seven-game series 2-0 at home go on to win the series 94% of the time, according to the NBA. Thus, there is a tremendous advantage to be had by the Knicks winning Game 2.

The number of Knicks fans able to get tickets to Games 3 and 4 in Philadelphia looms large over the series, as well. Knicks fans took over the 76ers’ home arena, which was previously called the Wells Fargo Center, in 2024. That swung the momentum in the Knicks favor. The 76ers launched strict rules regarding ticket sales and home addresses, hoping to prevent another Knicks’ fan takeover.

But the Knicks must remain focused on Game 2. If they do that, and Brunson continues his run, the Knicks should be in good shape heading into Game 3.

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