Jalen Brunson sits atop the all-time leaders for most points scored in a playoff game for the New York Knicks.
The New York Knicks have won two championships during their franchise history. They have seen some of their players produce gaudy points totals when it has mattered the most. Let’s highlight their top five all-time leaders for most points scored in a playoff game.
1. Jalen Brunson, 47 Points (2024 Eastern Conference First Round, Game 4)
Brunson made his first career All-Star team during the 2023-24 season. During the playoffs that season, he exploded for 47 points in Game 4 of a first round series against the 76ers. He shot 18-for-34 from the field and 9-for-11 from the free-throw line in the game. In addition to his scoring prowess, Brunson added 10 assists. The Knicks won the game and eventually took the series in six games. They were then eliminated in the next round by the Pacers.
2. Bernard King, 46 Points (1984 Eastern Conference First Round, Game 2)
King made the playoffs twice with the Knicks. He scored 46 points in a playoff game two times. One of those performances came in Game 2 of a 1984 First Round series against the Pistons. He shot 18-for-35 from the field in the game and went 10-for-13 from the free-throw line; however, they lost the game. They won the series in five games but were eliminated by the Celtics in the next round.
3. Bernard King, 46 Points (1984 Eastern Conference First Round, Game 3)
King scored 46 points in back-to-back playoff games in 1984. In Game 3 of the Knicks series with the Pistons, he scored 46 points over 40 minutes. He shot 19-for-27 from the field and 8-for-12 from the free-throw line. During the Knicks playoff run that season, King averaged 34.8 points and shot 57.4% from the field over 12 games.
4. Patrick Ewing, 45 Points (1990 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 3)
The Knicks selected Ewing with the first pick in the 1985 Draft. He spent 15 seasons with the franchise, making 13 trips to the playoffs along the way. His best playoff scoring performance was in Game 3 of a semifinal’s series against the Pistons in 1990. He scored 45 points, shooting 14-for-24 from the field and 17-for-18 from the free-throw line. The Knicks won the game but lost the series in five games.
T-5 Jalen Brunson – 44 Points (2024 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 5)
Brunson scored 44 points in Game 5 of the 2024 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Pacers.
T-5 Patrick Ewing – 44 Points (1990 first-round series, Game 4)
Ewing scored 44 points in Game 4 of a 1990 first-round series against the Celtics.
T-5 Bernard King – 44 Points (2x)
King scored 44 points in a playoff game two times. One occurrence came in Game 5 of a 1984 first round series against the Pistons. The other came in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals versus the Celtics.
