Jalen Brunson watched his old Villanova buddies, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, shine brightest in the biggest moments of the Knicks’ first two games in the 2024 NBA playoffs. He watched centers Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein take turns making life difficult on 76ers superstar Joel Embiid and dominating the offensive glass, providing vital lifelines for a New York attack that has needed every possible pathway to points.
He watched backup point guard Deuce McBride pop for 21 points off the bench in Game 1, the performance of his young career.