New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown rolled the dice with Jalen Brunson’s minutes against the Miami Heat on Sunday, and it paid off big time.
In the Knicks’ 132-125 victory over Miami, Brunson was sensational, scoring 47 points and dishing out eight assists. Brown elected to play Brunson for 38 minutes in the win, higher than his average of 35.1 minutes per night. It paid off for the Knicks, as Brunson would hit numerous key buckets down the stretch to give the Knicks a pivotal win. Brunson has played 37 minutes or more in six of the Knicks’ last seven games including the NBA Cup championship game against the San Antonio Spurs.
Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News asked Brown about Brunson’s workload of late following the win against Miami.
“You try to sit them as long as you can but if you feel the game slipping, it's my job to help us win,” Brown said.
The win helped push the Knicks to a 20-8 record on the season. They are currently second in the Eastern Conference, and have all the makings of being a serious title contender this season as they look to snap a 52-year title drought.
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