Jalen Brunson held his hand up after a rough night against the Indiana Pacers, but made sure to give credit to the teammate who picked him up.
The Knicks kept their momentum going after their NBA Cup win, picking up a victory over the Pacers.
There was already plenty of talk about how the NBA Cup title might shape New York’s season.
The Knicks will also be hoping they can avoid the so-called ‘NBA Cup curse’ that seems to follow champions in April, though that is not something they need to focus on just yet.
This time around, Brunson was quiet again, but one teammate stepped up and helped them get over the line.
Jalen Brunson grateful to Tyler Kolek after Knicks’ win over Pacers
After the New York Knicks’ win over the Indiana Pacers, Brunson spoke to reporters about his performance and was quick to praise Tyler Kolek for his contribution.
Even though Brunson hit the game-winning shot, he felt his overall play was not up to his usual standard, and credited Kolek for stepping up when it mattered.
“Man, I was garbage to start the game, and then my stint in the second half was garbage as well. I want to thank the lord for Tyler Kolek for playing the way he’s playing and saving me. We found a way to win this one.”
While Brunson had a solid outing with 25 points on 10-23 shooting, Kolek was the standout performer. Coming off the bench, he recorded 16 points and shot 70% from the field.
New York Knicks eye NBA Finals after fast start
The New York Knicks have started to hit their stride this season, holding a 19-7 record after shaking off a slow start.
There are still doubts about whether their NBA Cup win will translate into playoff success, but the confidence boost from the tournament cannot be ignored.
Several pundits expected New York to make the NBA Finals this season, especially with other Eastern Conference contenders dealing with injuries to key players.
This year is shaping up as a clear window for the Knicks. They may not get another opportunity like this next season, so making the most of it now is crucial.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
