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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 04: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles during the second quarter of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
On Monday night, the New York Knicks hosted the Philadelphia 76ers for Game 1 of their second-round playoff series.
The Knicks won by a score of 137-98.
Jalen Brunson finished with 35 points, one rebound, three assists and two steals while shooting 12/18 from the field and 3/6 from three-point range in 31 minutes of playing time.
NBA World Reacts To Jalen Brunson’s Performance
GettyVj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives around Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks during the third quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
Here’s what people were saying about Brunson’s performance:
Real App: “Jalen Brunson now has the 2nd most 35-point playoff games by a PG in NBA HISTORY.”
@ESPNInsights: “Jalen Brunson’s 27 PTS in the first half are the second most in any playoff half by a Knick in the play-by-play era 🔥 The most? Jalen Brunson’s 28-point first half of Game 5 of the 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals vs. the Pacers 📈”
Yahoo Sports: “JALEN BRUNSON LOVES PLAYOFF BASKETBALL AT THE GARDEN 😤 Knicks take a 1-0 series lead vs. the 76ers.”
Esfandiar Baraheni: “The great thing about Jalen Brunson is that basically every single season of his career he’s been completely unstoppable offensively in the playoffs”
Kyle Neubeck: “I don’t think the Sixers are doing anything particularly wrong with Brunson so far on defense, tip your hat to him for this start, but they’re not challenging him enough on the other end. Gotta find ways to make him work (and Maxey needs to stop deferring)”
GettyVj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks in front of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks during the third quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years. He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar