New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson believes his breakout playoff performances with the Dallas Mavericks helped the basketball world recognize the player he had always believed himself to be.
Brunson explained that his emergence during Dallas’ 2022 postseason run was less about discovering new abilities and more about receiving the opportunity to demonstrate what he could already accomplish.
“There was a moment where it kind of clicked for everyone else to realize, ‘Oh, that’s who he is.’ Well, internally, I believed I was always this person. I was just starring in my role.
During his final season with the Mavericks, Brunson stepped into a larger offensive role after Luka Doncic suffered an injury shortly before the playoffs.
The opportunity allowed Brunson to take on additional scoring and playmaking responsibilities, producing several impressive performances as Dallas advanced through the Western Conference playoffs.
“My last year in Dallas, when Luka got hurt before the playoffs, and I had a couple of big games in the playoffs. And then we had a conference finals run, and then found my way to New York.”
Brunson played an important role in helping the Mavericks reach the 2022 Western Conference Finals, where they were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors.
Following that postseason, he left Dallas in free agency and signed with the Knicks, where he developed into one of the team’s leading players.
“I feel like that run, that moment, it clicked for everyone else. But I think most importantly, I was always ready for a moment. You just never know when you needed it.”
Brunson emphasized that his confidence in his abilities had existed long before his playoff success attracted wider attention.
“I think it clicked for everyone else, but not necessarily for me.”
