Speaking of the 2024-25 NBA season, former NBA player and analyst Iman Shumpert claimed that New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson carries a heavier late-game responsibility compared to Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham. He ties his claims to the high-stakes, pressure-filled environments of the franchise and to the team’s reliance on Brunson for late-game scoring.
Iman Shumpert Make Bold Late-Game Claims, Says Brunson Is More Liable than Cunningham
Without any disrespect to either player, Shumpert scrutinizes the overall liability of Brunson vs Cunningham during late-game moments in the NBA. While Shumpert acknowledges the star power of each player, he claims Brunson experienced greater mental and physical strain in late-game moments before the boisterous home crowd.
Brunson easily stood out as the undisputed focal point of the Knicks’ offense, especially during clutch situations and late-game moments across the 2024/25 NBA season. He was often heavily involved in initiating the offense and finishing plays, leading to a massive workload in tight games.
On his part, Cunningham had developed into an elite playmaker and scorer for the Pistons, averaging over 26 points and 9 assists in the 2024/25 season. However, as Brunson observes, his team typically experienced less high-stakes pressure during games than the Knicks.
Meanwhile, regular-season stats seem to back Shumpert’s claims. Brunson was among the league leaders in clutch scoring and total points, underscoring his importance to the Knicks in the final minutes throughout the season.
X user @NBA__Courtside tells of Shumpert’s perspectives:
“Iman Shumpert says Jalen Brunson has to carry a bigger load than Cade Cunningham: ‘When I see the Pistons matching up with the Knicks at the end of games I’m trying to figure out how you deal with Jalen Brunson and can you go back and forth in the 4th. We watch Jalen Brunson have to deal with way more of a load than Cade Cunningham has had to deal with.”
Iman Shumpert says Jalen Brunson has to carry a bigger load than Cade Cunningham:
“When I see the Pistons matching up with the Knicks at the end of games I’m trying to figure out how you deal with Jalen Brunson and can you go back and forth in the 4th. We watch Jalen Brunson… pic.twitter.com/6B2bGNdtpe
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 17, 2026
Shumpert’s claims come as the 2025/26 season shifts into its second half, with questions abound about how far star players can carry their teams into the playoffs. Fortunately, there are plenty of games left in the season for fans.
