Jalen Brunson's playoff scoring case keeps getting harder to ignore.
A Reddit post that gained traction on r/nba pointed to Brunson's four postseason runs with the Knicks: 27.8 points per game in 2023, 32.4 in 2024, 29.4 in 2025 and 28.4 in 2026. The hook was the comparison. Each number is higher than Larry Bird's best single postseason scoring run with the Celtics, listed at 27.5 points per game.
That does not make Brunson a better player than Bird. It is not that kind of argument, and it should not be treated like one. Bird's resume sits in a different historical tier, with three MVPs, three championships and a Celtics offense built around his passing, shooting and frontcourt creation.
But the comparison does say something useful about Brunson. New York has asked him to carry massive shot creation loads, and he has answered with the kind of repeat playoff scoring that usually changes a player's reputation.
For a long time, Brunson was discussed as a high-end guard who found the perfect home at Madison Square Garden. Four straight Knicks playoff runs at that scoring level push the conversation somewhere firmer.
No comments yet. Start the conversation.