New York Knicks: How sustainable is The Trey Burke Show?

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 25: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks shoots a free throw during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 25, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 25: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks shoots a free throw during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 25, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 28: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks goes up for the layup against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 28: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks goes up for the layup against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Scoring

What immediately jumps off the page about Trey Burke is how easily he’s been able to score in 2017-18. He’s produced with both volume and efficiency, with his numbers routinely rising as his playing time has increased.

Nothing Burke is doing appears to be impossible to sustain, but the New York Knicks must determine just what it is that they can realistically expect of him.

Burke is currently averaging 12.6 points in just 19.9 minutes per game. That translates to 22.8 points per 36 minutes, which is 4.9 points per 36 minutes higher than his previous career-high of 17.9, which was set in 2015-16.

As previously alluded to, his production on a per game basis has increased over the past 18 games—but his per 36 average has only jumped by 0.8 points to 23.6.

In other words: Burke’s producing massive numbers as a scorer in recent weeks, but it’s par for the course as far his 2017-18 campaign is concerned. Further proof: Burke has scored at least 15 points in 11 of the 12 games during which he’s received at least 25 minutes of action.

The lone exception: When Burke posted 11 points, six assists, two blocks, and a steal in 27 minutes against the Sacramento Kings.