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Knicks Notes: Brunson, Rose, ECF, Anunoby

May 21st 2025 at 8:53pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

The Knicks, playing in their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000, have built their roster with two-time All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson at the fulcrum of the team, writes Fred Katz of The Athletic. Brunson agreed to a team-friendly three-year contract extension last offseason rather than wait to sign a full maximum-salary deal this summer to help establish long-term security. That contract will give New York significant roster-building flexibility in the years to come.

Brunson, the newly minted Clutch Player of the Year, has been a “calming” presence in late-game situations while stewarding New York’s deepest playoff run in a generation, according to All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns said.

“It’s great we have someone who has a calming demeanor like that, especially in those moments you’re talking about,” Towns said. “J.B. was the Clutch Player of the Year for a reason.”

Through the first two rounds of the playoffs, the 6’2″ pro is averaging 46.1 points per 36 minutes across clutch situations — games that are within five points with five or fewer minutes remaining in regulation or overtime.

The Knicks are currently in the midst of the first contest of their Eastern Conference Finals series against Indiana.

There’s more out of New York:

  • Knicks team president Leon Rose‘s decisions to trade most of his draft equity in exchange for the Towns and All-Defensive Team swingman Mikal Bridges in the offseason were deemed risky at the time, but have been paying dividends in a big way lately, writes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. Bridges’ two-way play has been critical through the first two rounds of the playoffs, while Towns has weathered some uneven performances and provided some big offensive moments. “To find success here in New York is something that is not for everyone, and it’s something that is very difficult to do,” Towns said earlier this week. “For us to be in this position shows that we stepped up to the challenge and [we also have] the benefit of having amazing teammates and support systems — both of us.”
  • Consulting a panel of five league experts, The New York Post’s Stefan Bondy (subscriber link) described four critical elements in the series needed for the Knicks to defeat Indiana on the eve of Game 1, including attacking Tyrese Haliburton on defense and slowing down the pace.
  • Knicks forward OG Anunoby, who has struggled with injury issues throughout his career, has been fully healthy and available during this year’s playoff run and the team is capitalizing on his availability, Bondy notes in another piece (subscriber link). Anunoby strained his hamstring during Game 2 of the Knicks’ second round slugfest against Indiana last spring, subsequently missing most of the rest of the series. Bondy opines that the absence of Anunoby, above anything else, resulted in the series being extended to seven contests and eventually lost by New York. Now, Anunoby is healthy, and primed for a rematch.
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