Jalen Brunson is asked if he, as a star, is bothered at all by not having the ball in his hands as the Knicks’ offense adapts:
“One, I’m not a star. Two, I want to win.”
Getty
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson reacts during the team’s dominant playoff performance against the Philadelphia 76ers. Brunson has embraced a reduced on-ball role as the Knicks’ offense shifts toward a Karl-Anthony Towns-centered system, helping fuel New York’s run to the Eastern Conference finals.
Jalen Brunson has been the face of the New York Knicks’ rise, but the All-Star guard made it clear he’s more concerned with winning than labels as the team’s evolving offense continues to reshape its playoff identity.
Asked whether he was bothered by not always having the ball in his hands as the Knicks adjust offensively, Brunson delivered a blunt response that underscored both his mindset and the team’s transformation.
“One, I’m not a star. Two, I want to win,” Brunson said, via SNY.
Jalen Brunson is asked if he, as a star, is bothered at all by not having the ball in his hands as the Knicks’ offense adapts:
“One, I’m not a star. Two, I want to win.”
The remark comes as the Knicks lean further into a more balanced, “equal opportunity” offensive system under head coach Mike Brown — a shift that has helped propel New York into the Eastern Conference finals following a dominant second-round sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers that even drew a reaction from President Donald Trump.
The Knicks’ offensive evolution began during their first-round series against Atlanta, when adjustments before Game 4 reshaped how the team attacked. The shift came after New York dropped two straight games to the lower-seeded Hawks, putting the team in an early deficit and forcing a reset.
Since then, the Knicks have responded with a franchise playoff-best seven-game winning streak, fueled by a more balanced offensive approach that has unlocked multiple playmakers. They have the top offense and the second-best defense during this torrid stretch.
GettyNew York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson speaks with Karl-Anthony Towns during a game against the Atlanta Hawks. The Knicks’ offensive transformation—featuring Towns as a primary playmaker—has reduced Brunson’s on-ball load and fueled New York’s surge into the Eastern Conference finals.
At the center of that transformation is Karl-Anthony Towns, whose expanded role has redefined how New York generates offense. During the streak, Towns has averaged 15.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists, operating as a primary facilitator and helping stretch opposing defenses.
“I feel like I’ve always had this my whole career,” Towns said, per SNY. “It’s just I never had the opportunity to utilize that skill set.”
For Brunson, the adjustment has meant doing less — at least in terms of traditional ball-dominant responsibilities.
After carrying one of the heaviest offensive loads in previous playoff runs, Brunson’s on-ball role has dropped significantly. His playoff on-ball percentage has dipped to 43.7 percent this year, down from over 50 percent in earlier postseason appearances.
The Knicks have diversified their attack, incorporating more ball movement, off-ball actions and secondary creators like Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby. The result is a system that no longer depends solely on Brunson creating late-clock offense.
Head coach Mike Brown described the offense as fluid and interchangeable.
“Anybody can be in any position,” Brown said, per SNY. “Anybody can initiate it.”
The Knicks’ revamped offense was on full display in their second-round sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers.
New York capped the series with a 144-114 victory, tying an NBA postseason record with 25 made 3-pointers. Brunson finished with 22 points, while Josh Hart and Towns added 17 apiece. Deuce McBride contributed 25 points, including seven 3-pointers.
The Knicks’ 19.4-point average margin of victory through two rounds is the largest in the NBA playoffs since the league expanded to 16 teams in 1984.
“It’s just us being very locked in to the moment,” Towns said.
The Knicks’ offensive surge has not only delivered results — it has also positioned them for a potential advantage entering the Eastern Conference finals.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons are currently locked in a tightly contested 2-2 series, with Game 5 set for Wednesday. With the matchup guaranteed to extend at least six games, New York will benefit from additional rest after sweeping Philadelphia.
That extended break could prove significant, allowing the Knicks to enter the next round healthier and fresher while facing an opponent coming off a physically demanding series.
Perhaps the most significant impact of the Knicks’ new offense is what it means for Brunson moving forward.
For the first time in his Knicks tenure, the All-Star guard enters the conference finals without signs of fatigue. He is averaging 34.7 minutes per game — his lowest postseason workload since coming to New York — and has benefited from multiple blowout wins that allowed him to rest during fourth quarters.
But his numbers — 27.3 points, 6.1 assists and 2.3 rebounds — remain stellar since Brown re-imagined the Knicks offense. His 42.6% three-point shooting over his last seven games marks a personal postseason-best in a Knicks uniform.
With several days off before the next round, Brunson could be the freshest he has been at this stage of the postseason.
That could prove critical as the Knicks push for their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
And if Brunson’s comments are any indication, he’s more than willing to sacrifice touches for the bigger goal.
He may not embrace the “star” label, but the Knicks’ surge suggests they’ve found something more valuable: a system where everyone thrives, and winning comes first.
Alder Almo is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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