Jalen Brunson made it clear that the New York Knicks’ journey to the Eastern Conference finals this year was not about celebrating a moral victory. After the Knicks were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in six games on May 31, Brunson expressed his thoughts on the season. He emphasized that while reaching the conference finals for the first time in 25 years was notable, it did not feel like an achievement to him.
Brunson reflected on the team’s progress throughout the season, saying, “I think the way this team progressed this year, for me it was fun.” He noted the negativity surrounding the Knicks before the playoffs but took pride in how the team focused and worked hard despite the doubts. This season, the Knicks won 51 games, their best record since the 2012-2013 season. However, they entered the playoffs as underdogs, largely due to their 0-8 record against the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Despite the disappointing end, the Knicks surprised many by defeating the Celtics in the second round, overcoming significant deficits in their games. The team showed resilience and determination, which left both frustration and a sense of optimism in the locker room after their playoff exit.
Brunson highlighted the potential of the team moving forward. With key players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges joining the roster, he believes there is a strong foundation for future success. All of the key players are under contract for next season, and Brunson expressed confidence in their ability to improve together. He noted, “There’s not an ounce of any type of doubt that I’m not confident with this group.”
As the Knicks look ahead, Brunson is excited about the hard work and dedication of his teammates. He appreciates their commitment to improving and believes they can build on this season’s experiences to achieve even greater things in the future.