Jalen Brunson continues to prove Mike Brown correct when his coach said that he should be on top of MVP conversations. Fresh from an NBA Cup victory, Brunson willed the New York Knicks to a hard fought victory over the Indiana Pacers.
He scored 25 points and had 7 rebounds and 7 assists in the game. He also hit the winning three-point shot that capped off their 16-point comeback against a gritty Pacers. This is the Knicks’ sixth straight win.
THE CAPTAIN IN THE CLUTCH.
JALEN BRUNSON GAME-WINNING THREE WITH 4.4 REMAINING 🔥
6 straight wins for the @emirates NBA Cup champs! https://t.co/ydEQOnjOVl pic.twitter.com/tOarrugtbd
— NBA (@NBA) December 19, 2025
Brunson was given his flowers after the game with many fighting for his spot in the MVP race. However, for him, another player should be commended.
Tyler Kolek does not play much but in the last two, he has proven himself to be a good rotation player. Brunson wants people to know that.
“I want to thank the Lord for Tyler Kolek. Playing the way he’s playing, saving me…Dude’s always in gym. Even blackout days; I take pride being the only one & he’s right there,” Brunson said during courtside interview.
Brunson feeling that way is warranted as Kolek not only served as a good reliever but he also has the most positive impact when he’s on the floor. He had a game high +13 in plus/minus and finished with 16 points and 11 assists.
The 2024 34th overall pick also helped them big time in win over the San Antonio Spurs when he scored 14 points and provided good defense and playmaking against a young Spurs.
Brown echoes Jalen Brunson’s statement
While Knicks are the more favored team in this match up, it should be noted that they did not have three main players in the game – Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, and. Karl-Anthony Towns.
Brown needed people to step up and he is thankful that Kolek did the job well. He even compared him to TJ McConnell who is known as a scrappy underdog player.
Mike Brown on Tyler Kolek “I’m not comparing all small white guys but TJ McConnell…I said ‘If there’s anyone you need to look at it’s him…”
Q “The other day––”
MB “You think I’m gonna get in trouble saying that?”
…
Q “I’m not offended”
…
MB “Oh good. You’re white too. OK😆” pic.twitter.com/UeZDSqGQm4— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 19, 2025
Kolek has played in 22 of 27 games so far and is averaging just 10 minutes per game before the last two.
Tyler Kolek tonight
16 points
5 rebounds
11 assists
7-10 FG
2-4 3P
+13Best game of his Knicks career
pic.twitter.com/5CMdRNS0dP— Teg🚨 (@IQfor3) December 19, 2025
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