As good as Jalen Brunson has been in the regular season, he’s been even more productive in the playoffs.
The New York Knicks made a franchise-altering move when they added Jalen Brunson prior to the 2022-23 season. He has made two All-Star teams as a member of the Knicks and has helped the team reach the playoffs each season. This season, the Knicks are on the cusp of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals with Brunson thriving when it has mattered the most.
Brunson’s Time In New York
During the regular season, Brunson averaged 26.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 2.3 3-pointers per game. An efficient scorer, Brunson shot 48.8% from the field and 82.1% from the free-throw line. He has been a reliable fantasy option since joining the Knicks, averaging at least 24.0 points, 6.2 assists and 2.0 3-pointers in all three seasons. He also shot at least 47.9% from the field in each campaign.
Coming Up Big In The Playoffs
As good as Brunson has been during the regular season, he has been even more productive in the playoffs. Over 10 playoff games this season, Brunson has averaged 30.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 2.9 3-pointers. Across 34 career playoff games with the Knicks, Brunson has averaged 30.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.4 3-pointers. He has also shot 45.0% from the field and 82.2% from the free-throw line.
Another impressive stat with Brunson is that he has averaged 40 minutes per game in the playoffs with the Knicks. He has also played a lot during the regular season, averaging 35 minutes per game in all three seasons with the team. His most games played came in 2023-24 when he appeared in 77 games. This season, he played 65 games.
New-Look Knicks
The Knicks went all-in this past offseason by adding Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. Brunson, Towns, Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart are all under contract for at least next season, so the team should look very similar moving forward.
Another thing that works in Brunson’s favor is the propensity for Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau to play his starters heavy minutes. Hart ranked first in minutes per game this season, while Bridges (third), Anunoby (fifth), Brunson (14th) and Towns (20th) all ranked inside the top 20 in minutes per game. No other team had more than two players ranked inside the top 20.
2025-26 Fantasy Outlook
After averaging 28.7 points and 2.7 3-pointers per game two seasons ago, Brunson did see his scoring contributions take a slight hit this season. However, his average of 7.3 assists per game was the highest mark of his career. In fantasy, Brunson had an Average Draft Position of 18 heading into the season, and he did nothing to deter fantasy managers from taking him high again next season. Expect him to go as early as the second round in many drafts. If he falls to the third round, it could be a gift.
