Jose Alvarado, Jalen Brunson
With New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson setting the standard, New York responded exactly how a contender should.
The Knicks bounced back Sunday night with a convincing 111–89 win over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden, just 24 hours after an ugly loss to the Detroit Pistons. The schedule offered no favors, but the response spoke volumes.
Brunson led the way with 31 points on efficient shooting, adding eight assists while controlling the pace from start to finish. The performance marked a sharp turnaround after his struggles the night before and reinforced why his voice carries so much weight inside the locker room.
But the most telling moment of the night happened before tipoff.
Brunson’s Message Says Everything
Ahead of his Knicks debut, Jose Alvarado pulled Brunson aside with a simple question.
“When we get into the game together, where do you want the ball mostly?” Alvarado asked.
Brunson’s response cut straight to the heart of leadership.
“Most importantly, I want you to play,” Brunson said, Yahoo reports. “When you play, you play free, you play smart, whatever you gotta do. You’ll see.”
It was not a diagram or a directive. It was trust.
That trust showed immediately once the game began. Alvarado checked in and made his presence felt with relentless pressure, quick decisions, and the same edge that has defined his NBA career. He finished with 12 points, two assists, two rebounds, and two steals, delivering energy that swung momentum in New York’s favor.
NBA fans know Alvarado for his ability to disrupt opposing guards. He never relies on size, only effort, instincts, and timing. That approach translated seamlessly in his first appearance wearing blue and orange.
Instant Impact in Blue and Orange
Alvarado’s value goes beyond the box score. He forces mistakes, speeds up opposing offenses, and injects urgency into every possession. Those qualities stood out against Boston and complemented Brunson’s steady control.
After the game, Brunson praised what he saw.
“He was great,” Brunson said, per Yahoo. “The impact on the game right away, it was amazing. That’s what we needed. Just happy to see him in the blue and orange.”
That connection mattered. The Knicks did not just add a defender at the deadline, they added a tone-setter. Alvarado’s willingness to ask questions and Brunson’s willingness to empower him reflected a shared understanding of winning basketball.
The pairing also brought familiar chemistry. Alvarado previously shared the floor with Josh Hart, and their combined energy translated immediately. Together, they pushed the tempo, pressured the ball, and gave New York a different look off the bench.
Alvarado has embraced the “Grand Theft Alvarado” nickname throughout his career, and that reputation followed him to Madison Square Garden. Wearing No. 5, he delivered exactly what the Knicks needed in his debut. Now, you have to address him as GTA 5, a goated nickname for sure.
New York improved to 34–19 with the win and now turns its attention to a home matchup against the Indiana Pacers. If Sunday served as any indication, Brunson’s message has already taken hold.