SAN ANTONIO — Jalen Brunson’s Early Exit Raises Concerns
As Jalen Brunson limped off the court to the locker room during the early moments of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Jose Alvarado shared a sentiment familiar to every Knicks supporter: “He should be back.” But after that initial thought, Alvarado’s instincts kicked in.
“The next thing I thought was, this is my job. I wasn’t scared in that moment,” the Knicks backup point guard reflected the following day. “This is what I live for, and I just want to use it to do what the team needs.”
Alvarado stepped up significantly, scoring 28 points on 11-of-25 shooting, playing a crucial role in their 105-95 comeback win against the Spurs.
Other key contributors included Mitchell Robinson with six rebounds, Landry Shamet adding 13 points, and Miles McBride, who tallied six points, four assists, and a plus-11 rating.
While Brunson was undergoing tests on his knee, Alvarado made an impact in the first half with seven points and four rebounds. He was also the first Knick to effectively challenge Victor Wembanyama, even managing to score a goaltending against the towering 7-foot-4 player. “I’m not afraid of anyone,” Alvarado said confidently. “He’s a great player. He blocks shots no matter what he does. That was exactly what I wanted.”
One notable shift from last year’s postseason, when the Knicks fell short in the Eastern Conference Finals, is the improved depth of their second unit. This difference stood out in the postseason, particularly during the conference semifinals against the 76ers, where OG Anunoby dealt with a minor hamstring strain, allowing McBride and Shamet to step up and keep the starters fresh.
The Knicks’ bench currently ranks seventh in points per game and eighth in minutes played among the 16 playoff teams. Last year, they were positioned 15th in both categories, highlighting their increased reliance on bench players.
When discussing coach Mike Brown’s effective development of the second unit, McBride noted, “Opportunity was the most important thing. He puts a lot of guys in different positions and allows us to be who we are. We can play at a high level. I feel like a lot of guys can be starters in different places. We’re all happy here and glad to have the chance to impact games so significantly.”
