New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson was named the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday, November 9. The award recognizes his dominant play across three consecutive victories from November 2-8, a stretch where he averaged 27.7 points and 6.3 assists while shooting 42.9% from three-point range. This honor marks a sharp turnaround for Brunson and a Knicks team that has now won five of its last six games, including a 109-97 road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 7.
Brunson's start to the season was uncharacteristically cold. The Knicks opened their title defense with three straight losses, and their captain was struggling to find his rhythm. Before facing the Chicago Bulls on November 4, he was shooting just above 40% from the field. Brunson offered a simple explanation for the slump, telling reporters he was "missing shots I normally make."
He found those shots in a hurry. Brunson erupted for a season-high 33 points in a 135-105 demolition of the Bulls at Madison Square Garden. He scored 22 points in the first quarter alone, outscoring the entire Chicago lineup. He finished 10 of 17 from the field and hit five three-pointers in just 28 minutes of play. "When you have it going, it feels good," Brunson said afterward. "Just trying to play off of that and use your gravity to make plays."
Brunson's individual surge has directly fueled the team's resurgence. After that 3-0 start, the Knicks' recent form shows four wins in their last five outings. They are currently on a three-game winning run. The offense has reignited, but the team has also paired it with improved defensive execution.
The victory over Cleveland was a clear example. Brunson scored 31 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished nine assists. His most decisive stretch came in the second quarter, where he scored 18 consecutive Knicks points to flip an early deficit into a halftime lead. That win lifted New York to a 5-4 record, putting them above .500 for the first time since opening night. He then added 19 points and six assists in a 103-90 win over the Brooklyn Nets to seal his award-winning week.
The immediate challenge is a home game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 10. It's another opportunity for the Knicks to build momentum and solidify their place in the early Eastern Conference standings.
For Brunson, the early shooting struggles are firmly in the past. His Player of the Week award provides validation for his steady approach. For the defending champion Knicks, their captain's return to elite form is the clearest sign yet that their title defense is finding its footing. The team's overall record and recent 4W-1L form suggest they are quickly becoming the contender everyone expected.
