Mike Brown made his position clear after the New York Knicks’ 118-109 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden.
The head coach said Jalen Brunson deserves early-season MVP consideration, pointing to the guard’s efficiency, decision-making, and response to constant defensive pressure.
“You know, I said this at the beginning, he should be talked about right now and it’s early, but as you know, potential MVP,” Brown said.
Brunson scored 37 points on 12-of-21 shooting while facing traps, blitzes, and rotating coverages throughout the night.
“The guy had had 37 tonight on on on 12 of 21 and he gets blitzed often and he makes the right basketball play,” Brown said.
New York locked up a spot in the NBA Cup knockout round with the win, improving to 3-1 in East Group C.
Brown highlighted how Brunson managed the game in the fourth quarter, especially when Milwaukee sent two defenders at him on every touch.
“He basically did what he’s supposed to do and that’s why I don’t talk about it a lot because that’s what he’s capable of doing and that’s what he’s supposed to do being of that stature,” Brown said.
The coach urged reporters to recognize the level Brunson has reached this season.
“Hopefully you guys and your peers will start really talking the right way about this young man in terms of him having some MVP talk because that’s what he is,” Brown said.
Brunson is averaging 29.1 points, 6.2 assists, and shooting 48.7 percent from the field through 16 games, numbers that place him among the league’s top guards.
Brown also credited his group for surviving what he called an “ugly game,” noting Milwaukee’s strong start from three.
“You give Milwaukee a lot of credit,” he said. “They came in and they put up a great fight… our guys stayed together, stayed together, stayed together.”
He pointed to New York’s 14 offensive rebounds and 22 second-chance points as the statistical margin that separated the teams.
“14 offense rebounds for 22 second chance points that was probably the difference maker,” Brown said.
Karl-Anthony Towns scored only nine points but delivered two critical plays late: a put-back that pushed the lead to four and a steal on the jump ball that sealed momentum.
Brown said those moments reflected winning habits.
“Great teams, great players find a way to make your team great by doing something other than scoring,” he said.
Josh Hart, named the defensive player of the game, guarded Giannis Antetokounmpo despite a significant size difference.
Brown praised the forward’s approach, saying, “He fought all night.”
The Knicks now prepare for the NBA Cup quarterfinal, where they are expected to face Toronto.
Brown said his team has embraced the heightened pressure of tournament play and continues to trend upward behind Brunson’s production.
“He’s the engine behind it,” Brown said. “And so to me, he just did what he’s supposed to do, which equates to him being the MVP of the league.”
