You Won't Believe How Jalen Brunson Shocked the Bucks and Led the Knicks to a Stunning NBA Cup Quarterfinals!

On a thrilling night at Madison Square Garden, the spotlight shone brightly on Jalen Brunson, who proved to be the more unstoppable superstar in a matchup against the reigning MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo. While Antetokounmpo showcased his dominance, scoring 30 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, it was Brunson who led the New York Knicks to a 118-109 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Black Friday.

The game featured a tense fourth quarter, during which the Knicks saw their 13-point lead dwindle down to just two. After struggling with their shooting—making only one of their previous 11 attempts—Brunson stepped up when it mattered most. He drew a crucial foul on Antetokounmpo while attempting a three-pointer and calmly sank all three free throws to extend the Knicks’ lead to five. Moments later, he converted a floater while being fouled by Myles Turner, completing a three-point play that pushed the lead to seven with just over a minute left. His visceral scream after the play ignited the crowd, leading to a chorus of MVP chants.

“He should be talked about, it’s early, but as a potential MVP,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said following the game. “There’s not enough chatter. He gets blitzed often and he makes the right basketball play. He basically did what he was supposed to do.”

Brunson’s ability to shift gears from facilitating for teammates to taking over a game is a hallmark of his play. Earlier in the game, he notched eight consecutive points for the Knicks and scored 13 of their final 16 points in the third quarter. This ability to perform under pressure has established him as a key figure in the Knicks’ success.

Brunson finished the game with an impressive 37 points, shooting 12-for-21 from the field and 4-for-6 from three-point range. He has become known as one of the best bargains in the league, having taken less money than he could have commanded on his current contract. In stark contrast, teammate Karl-Anthony Towns struggled, contributing only nine points on 2-for-8 shooting. Nevertheless, Towns made critical plays late in the game, including an offensive rebound and a steal that helped maintain the lead.

The victory secured first place in Group C of the NBA Cup, propelling the Knicks to the quarterfinals and eliminating last year's Cup champions, the Bucks. Brunson reflected on the significance of the tournament, stating, “There’s a little added juice to it knowing what’s at stake. Win and move on and try to win something.”

In what can be seen as a measure of revenge, the Knicks avenged a previous loss to the Bucks that occurred exactly one month prior. Assistant Coach Darren Erman emphasized the importance of physical play against a formidable opponent like Antetokounmpo, a task taken on by Josh Hart. Hart's tenacity and defensive prowess were evident, as he recorded 19 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, while effectively guarding Antetokounmpo, particularly in the final moments of the game.

Antetokounmpo, returning from a thigh injury that sidelined him for four games, put up notable numbers with 30 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. However, it was Brunson’s explosive performance that made the difference in this latest showdown. “We’re not playing the best basketball right now, but we’re trending in the right direction,” Coach Brown noted, highlighting Brunson as the engine behind the team’s upward trajectory.

This thrilling encounter not only showcased the resilience of the Knicks but also further solidified Jalen Brunson’s growing reputation as a clutch player capable of leading his team to victory in critical moments. With the NBA Cup quarterfinals approaching, fans are left wondering just how far Brunson and the Knicks can go.