The New York Knicks advanced to the Emirates NBA Cup championship game with a 132-120 win against the Orlando Magic on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Jalen Brunson scored 40 points to lead the Knicks to Tuesday's championship in Las Vegas against the San Antonio Spurs.
Brunson and his former Villanova teammate, Josh Hart, tag-teamed their postgame press conference. Hart found a way to compliment and poke fun at Brunson at the same time when asked how many guys in the NBA score the basketball better than he does.
"Probably not many," Hart said. "You know, he's barely a six-foot guard, and not physically impressive and not athletic," Hart added as Brunson shook his head and laughed beside him. "Obviously, he has a big head, so he's got a big brain. He's able to figure out those angles and find himself in a position to be successful."
Brunson's 'big brain' has him in MVP talks
Brunson made back-to-back All-Star appearances the last two seasons and is on his way to a third consecutive selection.
He finished fifth in MVP voting for the 2023-24 season and 10th for the 2024-25 season, but has somewhat of a shot to bring home the trophy this year. If it weren't for Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Doncic, he might be a leading candidate.
Brunson's excellent play has the Knicks in second place in the Eastern Conference at 18-7. Hart is playing through nerve issues in shooting hand, but remains one of the NBA's best grit and grind swingmen.
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