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Winners and losers from Knicks’ 2022 preseason

By Jordanna Clark

Oct 12, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Chris Duarte (3) defends in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Chris Duarte (3) defends in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks. (Photo by Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports) /

Winner: Jalen Brunson

The Knicks’ biggest move of the offseason could’ve been trading for Donovan Mitchell, but after that deal didn’t materialize, signing Jalen Brunson in free agency became the team’s move of the summer.

At long last, New York has a point guard. Read it again. In Brunson’s first few (unofficial) games in orange and blue, he gave fans another reason to be excited about the regular season. The point guard finished behind Barrett with 17.8 points per game and added 3.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 26 minutes. Brunson shot 49% from the floor and 46.2% from behind the arc.

Jalen Brunson will be the difference-maker for the Knicks this season

During the preseason, it was strange to watch Brunson lead the offense. He picked up where he left off in Dallas by driving to the rim and making his presence known on the defensive end, although he stands at six-foot-one.

There have been questions about if Brunson will be able to succeed without playing with Luka Doncic, and questions about him being worth the four-year, $104 million deal that he signed. Based on how Brunson looked in the preseason, it shouldn’t take long for him to start to earn some respect as a Knick, which is a tough thing to do.

Brunson’s made his New York debut already, but expect the energy at MSG on Friday night to be at a whole different level for Jalen Brunson in the Knicks’ home-opener.

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