Knicks' Mike Brown Places Jalen Brunson Among Elite NBA Company

Jalen Brunson has been one of the best players throughout the 2026 NBA postseason thus far.

Heading into Monday night’s Game 4 matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Knicks have won 10 consecutive games. Through the first three games of the Eastern Conference Finals, Brunson averaged 29 points and 8.7 assists per game as New York’s superstar point guard.

Since his arrival before the 2022-23 NBA season, Brunson has emerged as the Knicks’ unquestioned leader.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown has a wealth of NBA coaching experience spanning the past couple decades. And before Monday night’s Game 4 contest, he was asked if he’s ever encountered a leader like Brunson.

"Tim Duncan and Steph Curry,” Brown replied.

“The aura that those guys have. The quiet strength that they have, it’s unbelievable,” he continued.”They’ve just got it. They’ve got it on the floor, they’ve got it off the floor. It’s the whole package.”

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“I’ve always tried to keep myself level-headed,” Brunson said after the Knicks’ Game 3 victory. “You never want someone to see you when you’re too high or too low. Just having that mentality that no matter what’s going on, nothing’s going to break you, and I think I’ve had that for a long time.”

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With a win on Monday night, the Knicks can punch their ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.

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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 8:02 PM.