Jalen Brunson

Behind on the scoreboards for much of the second half, the New York Knicks — given just a 15.8 percent probability of a fourth quarter comeback — recognized that something needed to change. Cashing in on his opportunity to tap into something legendary, Jalen Brunson settled on a foolproof plan: a double-nickel performance. Questionable to even play beforehand, given a tightness in his calf, Brunson loosened both his muscles, and the screws in the Washington Wizards’ defense, unleashing the full toolbox in December 28, 2024’s overtime win. Quicker than a blink in his always-deceptive dribble, Brunson’s craftiness introduced soft-touch floaters, backbreaking pull-up jumpers, and ultimately, a takeover that encouraged 55 points, 42 of which arriving post-halftime. Unable to truly celebrate his 61-point masterpiece from a season ago, given the game’s result, Brunson had different plans on this night, resurrecting New York from a double-digit fourth quarter deficit. In tying for the second-most 50-point games in the Big Apple’s history, Brunson’s 55-point game went accompanied by three rebounds, nine assists, three 3-pointers, and sizzling efficiency from the field (18-of-31) and foul line (16-of-17).