Brunson acknowledged the success he has had in pick-and-roll with Karl-Anthony Towns late in the season.
The New York Knicks beat the Boston Celtics 112-106 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, and after the game Jalen Brunson shed some light on what's been clicking for New York heading into the playoffs. When asked about the two-man strategy between him and Karl-Anthony Towns, Brunson didn't overthink it.
"Very effective play." It was a bit of a tongue-in-cheek answer, coming after he was asked if he thought it should have been used earlier in the season. But the overarching point of the Knicks finding something that works still stands.
Brunson gave some context around what's made the strategy work. He talked about how the chemistry between he and Towns has grown the longer they've played together.
The goal isn't just to get either of them a bucket. It's about putting pressure on the defense and forcing choices. Every decision the defense makes opens something up elsewhere, and that's what's been moving the ball and generating good looks for the whole roster.
Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates with teammates after forcing a jump ball during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn ImagesTowns' Consistency Has Been Big
He also talked about KAT and what's been driving his consistency this season.
"He's been consistent with everything," Brunson said. "He's done his work, his routines and everything. And so I'm just the byproduct of it, and just happy to see what happens when you're focused on something, blocking out the noise and not really worrying about what else is being said."
Towns has shot around 40 percent from three all year. When you have to respect him out on the perimeter, it creates opportunities for Brunson and opens up the floor for everyone around them. That combination is hard to guard, and it's been a big reason why New York looks dangerous right now.
The offensive development is the headline, but the defense deserves some credit, too. Josh Hart has been drawing assignments on the bigger ball-handling wings lately, and it's been working. Brunson gave him credit after the game for doing the things that don't show up in a box score but absolutely show up in wins.
Knicks Are Playing Their Best Basketball
Brunson also said after the game that he thinks this team is still getting better. That's not a great thing to hear if you're about to play the Knicks. New York has had its bumps this season, but the way they're playing right now has a different feel to it.
Winning at MSG against Boston, with a crowd that had a playoff feel from tip-off, is the kind of moment a team carries with them. The postseason is less than 10 days away, and you want to be peaking at the right time. The Knicks are accomplishing just that.
New York has two games left before the playoffs tip off. The matchups will sort themselves out over the next few days, but this team looks like it's playing some of its best basketball. Whoever draws the Knicks in the first round is going to have their hands full.