New York Knicks need Jalen Brunson in the NBA Cup

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson is the team’s undisputed captain.

The Knicks will need Brunson’s leadership as the team begins the knockout stage of the NBA Cup, which begins tomorrow against the Atlanta Hawks.

ESPN writer Kevin Pelton named Brunson one of four “Pivotal Playmakers” for the remainder of the tournament.

“Brunson averaged 26.8 ppg in the group stage, 25.4 overall, despite getting just 27 minutes in the final game in a blowout win against the Magic. The Brooklyn Nets, which would have hurt their chances of advancing,” writes Pelton .

Brunson was the maestro behind one of the best offenses in the NBA, and when he plays well, the Knicks usually have a chance to win. Brunson is one of the best point guards in the league, and his consistent rise shows that he can lead the Knicks further than they did last year in the tournament.

In 2023, the Knicks lost on the road to the Milwaukee Bucks one step shy of the semifinals in Las Vegas. As one of two teams in the entire league, the Knicks were given a home game against the Hawks, who defeated the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers to get to this point.

The Knicks should be expected to beat the Hawks before their home trial, but not an opponent that should be overlooked. They will need Brunson to bring his A-game to lead his squad to try and punch a ticket to Saturday’s semifinals in Vegas.

Tipoff between the Hawks and Knicks is set for tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden. The game can be streamed on TNT or on the Max app.

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