DENVER — Jalen Brunson has performed 440 NBA video games, and 162 for the Knicks, however this was the most effective dishing night time of his profession.
The All-Star level guard recorded a career-high 17 assists to assist the Knicks tie a franchise document with 45 in Monday’s 145-118 win over the Nuggets.
“For me it’s nice to have that profession excessive, nevertheless it’s a credit score to [my teammates],” stated Brunson, who additionally scored 23 factors. “Everybody on this locker room works actually arduous. They put quite a bit into their recreation. I imply, actually, with out them that wouldn’t be attainable.”
When knowledgeable that former Villanova teammate and podcast co-host Josh Hart stated the 17-assist night time was “most likely [something] you’ll by no means see once more,” Brunson retorted, “Yeah, Josh is humorous. I might have had extra if I didn’t cross him the ball.”
Brunson turned the primary Knick since Nate Robinson in 2008-09 to put up no less than 20 factors and 15 assists in the identical recreation.
“I believed Jalen had an unbelievable flooring recreation,” Tom Thibodeau stated.
Treasured Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson accompanied the Knicks on the five-game street journey, and the primary of these two injured massive males seems to be closing in on a return to the lineup.
Achiuwa, who has been sidelined since struggling a hamstring damage close to the tip of the preseason, has been cleared for contact and will quickly make his season debut, though it nonetheless isn’t more likely to be on the journey that concludes with stops in Dallas (Wednesday) and Charlotte (Friday).
“Treasured is doing just about the whole lot now,” Thibodeau stated earlier than the sport. “He’s gotten some contact. He’s on the subsequent step. He’s getting shut.
“And Mitch, clearly, simply having him round, he hasn’t been cleared actually to do something apart from the rehab a part of it. However it’s good to see he’s progressing effectively, additionally. He’s not as shut as Treasured is, however we’re very inspired with each guys.”
Robinson is predicted to be out till no less than December or January after present process surgical procedure on his left ankle in Might.
Requested if he believes Achiuwa will play on the street journey, Thibodeau added, “Nah. He’s not fairly there but. We simply wish to be affected person. We don’t need this factor to be recurring. Let him get via it and when he’s prepared, he’s prepared.”
Miles McBride returned to the lineup after lacking 5 video games with a knee concern and scored 13 factors in 27 minutes.