Brunson shares key to Knicks success after struggles protecting big leads.
The Knicks enter December with a 14-7 record, good for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
While that record puts them in a solid playoff position, the team has shown a troubling pattern of building up comfortable leads only to watch them disappear in the second half.
After a recent win against the Hornets, where New York almost let another lead slip away, Jalen Brunson spoke candidly about what the team needs to do better.
"Teams aren't just going to lay down," Brunson said. "We've got to do a better job of slowing down the runs. The way we respond to that is how we get better as a team."
Brunson has been carrying a heavy load for New York this season, averaging 27.6 points, 6.4 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field.
The two-time All-Star has stepped up as the unquestioned leader of this roster and knows the team needs to stay locked in for all 48 minutes if they want to compete for a championship.
Team Depth Proving Crucial
While Brunson has been the engine that makes everything go, the Knicks have gotten solid contributions from their supporting cast.
Karl-Anthony Towns has been a force in the paint, putting up 22.7 points and 12.0 rebounds per game in his second season with the team.
The big man dropped 35 points and 18 boards in Wednesday's bounce-back win over the Charlotte Hornets, showing why New York made that blockbuster trade to bring him to Madison Square Garden.
Mikal Bridges continues to provide steady two-way production with 17.1 points per game, while Josh Hart has embraced a bench role and contributed 11.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per contest.
The Villanova connection between Brunson, Bridges, and Hart has given New York a core group that knows how to win together.
Looking Ahead
The Knicks now turn their attention to Friday's home matchup against the Utah Jazz before hosting the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
With 11 wins in 12 games at Madison Square Garden this season, New York has made their home court a tough place for opponents to play.
If the Knicks can clean up their late-game execution and follow Brunson's advice about weathering opponent runs, this team has the talent to make some serious noise in the Eastern Conference.
Tip-off for Friday's game against Utah is set for 7:30 p.m. EST at Madison Square Garden.