Jalen Brunson returned to the Knicks for an April 4 appearance after losing a severely sprained ankle for most of March.
The All-Star point guard and first-year team captain were not in peak efficiency as he put his legs back after four weeks of absence, but coach Tom Tibodeau is undoubtedly ready to lead the Knicks against the Pistons when Branson starts on Saturday evening in the yard.
“Never,” Thibodeau replied Tuesday. “You guys watch it every night, and it won’t surprise you.
“I try not to take it for granted. I’m grateful for everything he brings to our team and plays to win. His competitive spirit is spectacular. Everything he wants to do.
The 28-year-old Branson has returned from his 15-game absence on April 6th against Phoenix. He averaged 21.0 points with 43.5% shooting in four games needed to reach 65 for the season.
Charles Wentzelberg/New York Post
The former Villanova standout has also consistently shown his ability to level up his play in the postseason during his time with Dallas and his first two years with the Knicks.
This included last year’s White Hot Stretch, bridging the first two rounds against the 76ers and Pacers, scoring at least 40 points in four consecutive games (42.8 ppg).
Branson achieved a feat since Michael Jordan in the 1993 final and became the first NBA player. Other things were Lakers great Jerry West (6 wins in a row in 1965) and Knicks legend Bernard King (4 times in 1984).
Branson pointed out Tuesday that he was trying to have “same mindset, same approach, same mentality” in the playoffs. However, he admitted that this was a “interesting year” for the Knicks. The Knicks added two new starters to the Karl Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges following two consecutive eliminations of second rounds.
“For us, it’s a roller coaster, like any other season, every year, and it has its ups and downs. “But now, with the regular season now over, it’s about how we can go ahead and get better than the next day.”
“We know it’s a term that people don’t want to hear, but we learn what we’ve done in the past, it’s good and bad, it’s good and good, it’s better and better, that’s the name of the game at this stage of the season.
Branson finished his regular season with a career-high 7.3 assists averaged 26.0 points. He was even better in four games against the Pistons, averaging 28.3 points and 7.8 assists.
He said he believes his conditioning, which comes from ankle issues, is “close” to perfect strength. He asked about his level of confidence for the Knicks that enter the playoffs, and he replied, “What confidence am I? Do I have the most confidence?”
Certainly he is spoken like a true captain.
“For me, having the title as a captain is an honor,” Branson said. “The more I experience and the more I learn, the better I can become with it.
“It’s obviously not something I take for granted to help us get out and get into the playoffs and stuff like that, but it’s a long way to help us be the best version of that title.”
