New York Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson has garnered well-deserved praise in the basketball world for his herculean efforts in recent games. After Thursday night’s 118-115 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Brunson became the first player since Michael Jordan to score at least 37 points in four consecutive playoff games.
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle sang the former Maverick’s praises ahead of his club’s second-round game against the Knicks, via The Dan Patrick Show.
“He created a niche in the NBA, both in the history of the league and in the history of the Knick,” Carlisle said. “He IS truly unique. There’s a little bit of Steve Nash, there’s a little bit of James Harden, there’s a little bit of Dame Lillard… I know Jalen well because we had him for his first two years when I was in Dallas. He’s a guy with a lot of self-belief, and New York released him… I’m looking forward to coaching against him.”
Carlisle was the coach of the Mavericks when they took Brunson in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft. The former Villanova player largely came off the bench under Carlisle’s reign, averaging 21.8 and 17.9 minutes per game, respectively. game in the first two seasons. Brunson began his rise in 2020-21, the year after Carlisle left for Indiana.