When it came to the New York Knicks’ 137–114 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, one of the most underrated players of the game was Jalen Brunson. Yes, you read that correctly — the Knicks captain, Jalen Brunson, was considered an underrated player of the game. Well, how’s that, one might ask? Brunson finished with 23 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds, nearly flirting with a triple-double while leading his team on both ends of the floor.

Brunson's Humble Response

Reporters would later ask Brunson if, at any moment throughout the contest, he was aware of how close he came to reaching that historic feat. His answer was classic Brunson — humble and straight to the point.

“No. Last time I chased something I got cussed out in front of Tom Izzo when I was in junior high school. I'm not going to chase any stats here.”

Brunson has been widely considered one of the most selfless and grounded players ever to put on a Knicks uniform. He doesn’t make individual games about himself, nor does he seek to overshadow teammates in postgame interviews. His one goal remains constant every time he steps on the court — to win for the team.

Impact in Waves

That’s exactly what he did on Wednesday night, as his impact couldn’t have been more crucial through all four quarters. In the third quarter alone, Brunson scored 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists, nearly half of his stat line coming in just 12 minutes of action. His ability to take control when the offense stalled — whether by attacking the paint or spacing the floor with timely threes — once again reminded fans why he’s the heart of this roster.

“I think we're growing, we're learning. Obviously, playing at home is a big factor. The energy at home is great. Playing in front of these fans is awesome.”

The Mission Going Forward

New York has played five of its opening eight games at home, recording a perfect 5–0 in the process. In that span, Brunson has averaged 24.8 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.0 rebounds, continuing to deliver under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. The Knicks have four more games inside the Garden this month, including key matchups against the Nets, Grizzlies, Magic, and Heat — contests that could shape their early-season identity.

Brunson is doing what Knicks fans haven’t experienced in a long time: leading a team that prioritizes collective success over personal accolades. Last season’s Eastern Conference Finals run gave fans a taste of what could be; this year, it feels like Brunson’s only goal is to finish the story.

The Knicks have looked solid through their first eight games. Let’s see what Jalen Brunson can accomplish through all 82.