Jalen BrunsonThe score increased from 28.7 points per game in 2023-24 to 25.2 ppg through his first 24 games this season, but the points in 2023-24 fell to 25.2 ppg Curtsy Star is otherwise playing even better than he did a year ago, when he finished fifth in the MVP voting, claims James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.

Brunson’s shooting percentages are up to 49.6% from the floor and a best 43.2% on three-pointers. And perhaps, most importantly, he is averaging a career-high 7.8 assists per game. This can be partially attributed to playing with another elite scorer and shooter like Karl Anthony cities and partly with Brunson’s improving ability to deal with defenses that have used blitzes, hedges and double teams to slow him down.

“A lot has happened recently” Brunson said of that defensive pressure. “I’ve always worked on things like this. I just like to trust my readings and my instincts. “

If Brunson continues to play the way he has been, he’s poised to be back on a lot of MVP ballots come spring, but he and he and head coach Tom Thibodeau are more focused on ensuring the Knicks continue to create efficient shots and win games. New York’s offensive rating is an NBA-best 121.0, and the team continues to move up in the Eastern Conference, sitting at 15-9 after a win over Toronto last night.

“(Brunson) 10, 11 (Assists) Every Night Now” Thibodeau said Monday, per Edwards. “He creates a lot of good offense for us. Everyone shares this responsibility. Read the game and don’t hold the ball for too long. If you’re open, I want you to shoot. If you’re not open, I don’t want you to overextend. Just read what they do. If you have players who play for each other and play unselfishly, you will be picked up with high percentage mobile. “

We have more on the Knicks:

• After playing just three minutes on Thursday and six on Saturday, Jericho Sims was a DNP-CD for the first time this season in Toronto on Monday, writes Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. As Bondy notes, Sims played strong defense for the Knicks this fall, but looked lacking on offense in his previous two outings. As long as Precious Achiuwa is available, Sims may not be a regular part of Thibodeau’s rotation.
• Raptors forward RJ BarrettOn Monday, nearly a year after being traded from New York to Toronto with his former team, he told reporters he wasn’t shocked when he was moved: “You can tell when you’re being treated a certain way.” As Bondy states Julius Randle. “A lot of stuff (gave me that vibe that I was going to get traded). Many things “,” Barrett said. “I think I just got a vibe, kind of posed. I wasn’t too surprised when it happened. “
• John Calipariwho coached towns in Kentucky helped the former Wildcat get traded from Minnesota to New York earlier this fall, as Bondy in a separate New York Post story. “First of all, you’re surprised when you’re an All-Star and you get traded. And then the second thing is that you get hurt. “ Calipari said. “Why did they do it? Why should they do it? And at the end I told him I said to him, “Please (the Knicks) are perfect for you. Don’t worry about all the other things. Move on. …No looking back. You are not bitter. You’re on to the next thing. ‘”