Jalen Brunson Game 5 performance: How Knicks star willed New York to first title in 53 years and became living legend

The Knicks downed the Spurs in Game 5 to hoist their first Larry O’Brien Trophy in 53 years. Jalen Brunson’s fingerprints were all over the momentous result.

Entering the contest, there were questions over who would take home the Finals MVP should New York capture the title. Karl-Anthony Towns flirted with the accolade after impressive showings in Games 1 and 2, while O.G. Anunoby looked the odds-on favorite after capping New York’s historic comeback win in Game 4.

Brunson silenced all doubts with an outpouring of baskets on Saturday night. New York supporters are better for it, dancing in the streets as its conductor of noise wiped champagne off his face.

With that, here’s a look back at Brunson’s heroic and historic Game 5 showing/

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Jalen Brunson Game 5 performance

Brunson authored a performance for the ages on Saturday night, tallying a game-high 45 points — nearly half of all the points New York recorded in Game 5.

He was a marksman from all three levels, showcasing the talent and audacity to gash one of the league’s finest defenses.

Brunson’s performance will live long in Finals lore. Not only did he lead New York to its first title in 53 seasons, but he did so with the third-highest scoring showcase in a close-out Finals game in league history, only trailing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bob Pettit (50 points).

It’s no surprise Brunson was the unanimous pick for Finals MVP honors.

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Jalen Brunson Game 5 highlights

Brunson produced points in bunches on Saturday night, using his strength and endeavor to inflict punishment on the Spurs' vaunted defense. The diminutive guard recorded buckets from a number of angles, canning four triples in the affair and dropping down more mid-range jumpers than most.

The vast majority of Brunson's points came inside the painted area, though. Brunson attacked the rim with reckless abandon, shaking off the likes of Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle to breach into the danger zone. Even Victor Wembanyama couldn't prevent him from getting to his desired spot on the floor, as Brunson proved on a handful of occasions.

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All of that amounted to one of the clutchest showcases in Finals history. New York fans are more than grateful for his exploits. Without them, the Knicks wouldn't be NBA champions.

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Jalen Brunson NBA Finals stats

• 32.6 points per game
• 4.2 rebounds per game
• 4.6 assists per game
• 2.0 steals per game
• 0.0 blocks per game
• 3.8 turnovers per game
• 42.1 percent field goal shooting
• 38.9 percent 3-point shooting
• 86.0 percent free throw shooting

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How did Knicks acquire Jalen Brunson?

The Knicks acquired Brunson via free agency, signing him to a four-year, $104 million contract during the 2022 offseason. Many doubted Brunson’s credentials, believing the deal was an overpay for the former second-rounder, who started just 127 games across four years with the Mavericks.

Still, New York couldn’t be denied. Four years on, it seems the Knicks and general manager Leon Rose were proven right.

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Jalen Brunson contract details

• Years: Four
• Contract value: $156.5 million

Brunson inked a four-year, $156.5 million veteran extension following the 2023-24 season, taking home an average annual value (AAV) of about $37.1 million. He left plenty of money on the table when agreeing to his extension. Brunson, a two-time All-NBA Second Team selection at the time, was eligible to receive a supermax — valued at $269.1 million over four years.

Brunson opted take a pittance of his actual value, giving the Knicks $37.1 million of cap savings across four seasons. His contract includes a player option before the 2028-29 season. If he does opt out, as expected, he could recoup the money he surrendered — be that with a four-year, $323 million maximum extension in 2028 or five-year, $418 million deal in 2029.

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