Awards season has arrived, and for the Knicks, it has brought an unexpected dose of disappointment. Jalen Brunson has been the face of New York’s late-game confidence for two straight seasons, the kind of guard who changes the mood of a fourth quarter the moment he crosses half court. That is why the latest news around the league feels especially sharp for Knicks fans.
Jalen Brunson Snubbed as NBA Finalists Are Revealed
The NBA officially announced the finalists for Kia Clutch Player of the Year, and Brunson is not among them this time. The three finalists are Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray, leaving out the reigning winner from New York.
It’s Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray
That omission is quite glaring since Brunson’s entire career was pretty much built around these blink-and-you ‘ll-miss-it moments. In fact, it was these moments that helped him snag the award last season when he not only led the league by a wide margin of 5.6 points per 100 possessions in clutch situations, but also made the most clutch field goals in the NBA with a total of 52.
Why Jalen Brunson Belongs on the List
GettyKnicks Hit With Unexpected Jalen Brunson Setback
It is not difficult to argue for Brunson’s candidacy.
Throughout the season, he has once again been the man New York turns to for a rescue, a player who can not only score but also run his team, get his own shot, and maintain composure even when every possession seems more challenging than the previous.
NBA media have labeled him as the Knicks’ leading figure and among the league’s most dependable scorers, highlighting his consistently top-tier production during his New York tenure.
Besides that, he has even delivered the kinds of iconic moments that are crucial for winning an award.
Knicks vs. Hawks: Brunson Shows His Elite Level Again
GettyKnicks Vs Hawks Playoffs
That same pressure-player label carried into Game 1 against Atlanta, where Brunson scored 28 points with seven assists, five rebounds and a steal in the Knicks’ 113-102 win. He still delivered a strong all-around line even when the scoring was not effortless, which is often the best evidence of a star’s value: when the game gets messy, he still steadies it.
For the Knicks, the snub may sting. For Brunson, it is another reminder that his game keeps speaking for itself.
Despite the snub, the focus now shifts to what truly matters: winning. The New York Knicks are already locked into a strong playoff position and will face the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, a winnable series on paper. If Jalen Brunson continues to control the tempo and deliver in clutch moments, New York has a real path to advancing and proving that awards don’t define impact.
Knicks Receive Sad Jalen Brunson News Ahead of Playoffs Season