The game against the Suns was one of the best displays of the dynamic duo of Jalen Brunson and summer signing Karl-Anthony Towns.
Towns is having a great year, averaging 26.8 points and 12.2 rebounds in 14 games and proving to be a solid No. 1 option for the Knicks. Tonight he had 36 points and 10 rebounds, proving to be unstoppable in both ends of the floor. His increased defensive intensity has also led to improvements on that end of the floor during this four-game winning streak for the Knicks.
Brunson has had a slow start to the season that has reversed his current streak, averaging 27.8 points and 9.5 assists over this stretch. Tonight he looked comfortable getting his points and being a game-changing offensive force. He attacked Suns defenders on the perimeter and was effective as a point guard, though a bit turnover-prone with five on the night.
Getting 70 points from both will be a recipe for success on most nights, even if it’s not realistic. But they’re proving to be effective scorers alongside each other, and their chemistry is growing stronger. If the Knicks want to make a championship push, Towns scoring at this level is exactly what they need alongside Brunson in the playoffs.