In his second season with the Knicks, Jalen Brunson is scoring more points per game than he did in 2022–23, despite a poor start. Most impressively, he’s shooting a career-best 47.2% from three through 16 games, a significant improvement above his 41.6% average from the previous campaign.

Brunson scored 35 points on 15 of 25 shots from the field and 5 of 10 from three in Sunday’s loss to Phoenix. He has scored 30 or more points in three of the last five games for New York.

His clutch play down the stretch on Friday against Miami helped New York claw its way back from a 21-point deficit for the 100-98 win.

Brunson’s been the Knicks’ most consistent star since arriving in the city in 2022, and this could (should) be the season where he’s not only named an All-Star for the first time, but makes an All-NBA team, too.

His former teammate and current ESPN analyst JJ Redick carved out a segment on his podcast to discuss Brunson’s play.

JJ Redick spent part of the 2020-21 season in Dallas with Jalen Brunson and the Mavericks. He admitted that when he was in Texas, he thought Brunson was a “fantastic player” but that he didn’t envision the point guard rising to the level he’s been playing at since arriving in New York.

Redick harped on the pressure that comes with playing for the Knicks, mainly because of the contract that Brunson signed. The guard’s four-year, $104 million free agency deal was quickly labeled as an overpay, but it’s turned into a bargain deal for New York.

There were questions about if Brunson could be the point guard that the Knicks needed, and as Redick noted, he’s far exceeded expectations. Brunson averaged 24 points per game in 2022-23 and has upped that average to 24.9 points this season. He’ll likely cool off from three as the season progresses, but he’s still trending upward.

Brunson was snubbed from being named an All-Star last season, as Julius Randle represented the team in Utah. Their roles could very well be reversed in February, with Randle’s numbers down from what they were last year.

Regardless of what happens with All-Star/All-NBA votes, Jalen Brunson has already solidified himself as one of the best point guards in the league. He doesn’t need the individual accolades, but coming from someone who knows basketball at a high level, it’s nice to hear JJ Redick give New York’s point guard the recognition he deserves.