In a season where every game counts, Jalen Brunson’s 15-game absence due to an ankle injury could have derailed the New York Knicks’ playoff aspirations. Yet, upon his return, Brunson not only helped lead the team to victory but also delivered several game-winning performances. Now, despite missing nearly a quarter of the season, he stands as the favorite for the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year award, overshadowing even Nikola Jokić. This begs the question: Can a player truly be considered the most clutch if they miss a significant portion of the season?
Trailing Detroit by six at halftime, the Knicks found new life in the fourth. Brunson flipped a switch, returning from an ankle scare to seize control. A 21-0 run in the fourth quarter? That’s to be applauded! Knicks finally won by outscoring Detroit by 40-21. He’s already leading the league in clutch points. What could be next for him?
You guessed it right! He’s currently the top contender to snatch the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year crown. It’s a three-way battle amongst him, Jokic, and Anthony Edwards. NBA analyst Chandler Parsons recently backed Brunson’s case. Parsons said, “No one really gives him problems. You can’t put a bigger guy on him because he’s too quick, can’t put a smaller guy on him because he’ll take him to the post. He’s the favorite to win Clutch Player of the Year… he’s unbelievable.”
. @ChandlerParsons on Jalen Brunson:
“No one really gives him problems. You can’t put a bigger guy on him because he’s too quick, can’t put a smaller guy on him because he’ll take him to the post. He’s the favorite to win Clutch Player of the Year..he’s unbelievable.” pic.twitter.com/2o8brqPK0C
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) April 21, 2025
However, we wonder if it’s fair to overlook Jokic’s clutch performance? In Denver’s 137‑134 win over Philadelphia, Jokic drilled a game‑tying three with 42 seconds left, then sank a pair of free throws to seal the comeback. And his classic Jokic performance when the Nuggets were down by 15 points against the Clippers does fairly earn him a Mr. Clutch title, right? Because that’s what even Stephen A. Smith has to say: “And Jokic came out right out of the timeout and just started pressuring the heck out of zoo and was just flying around making extra efforts. He was just brilliant in his pick and roll defense in the second half, getting deflections and forcing turnovers.”
Do the Knicks play better without Jalen Brunson?
Jokic leads with his triple-double plays with nobody nearly coming close, but Jalen Brunson’s last-minute contributions to the scoreboard have led the Knicks past the opposition more times than not. Jalen Brunson rolled his right ankle on March 6 against the Lakers, landing on Austin Reaves’ foot in overtime and suffering a sprain that cost him an extended absence.
The Knicks officially ruled him out beginning March 8, and he remained sidelined for 15 regular‑season games before being cleared to return on April 5 versus the Suns. However, is leading the 4th quarter upon returning enough to have a 15-game absence ignored?
Well, the title isn’t all that’s in danger. His injury also came in as a chance for the mostly sidelined bench to be in the spotlight. No matter who the opponent was, Brunson’s high usage rate made him lead the offense. He was the team’s primary ball handler, and the roster didn’t really get to contribute that much. New York went 9‑6 without its primary ball‑handler, showcasing resilience that outpaced expectations.
During that stretch, the Knicks improved their defensive rating to 111.8, up from 114.4 with Jalen Brunson in the lineup—a swing that vaulted them into the NBA’s top 5 in team defense. On the road, they held opponents to 108.1 points per 100 possessions and posted a key win at Brooklyn, 113–105.
Jan 1, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) dunks past Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) in the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
OG Anunoby’s usage rate jumped from 16.6% to 22.8%, and even Mikal Bridges went from around 17% to 22% without Brunson leading. They were able to have an 11-6 record while averaging 112.2 points per game. OG Anunoby exploded for 23.8 PPG on 49 percent shooting across 16 games without Brunson—an uptick from 16.5 PPG beforehand. The unfortunate injury exposed the roster’s capabilities and also a lack of depth in their rotation.
In total, Brunson has amassed 156 clutch points, trailing only Anthony Edwards by one point—a gap he could have widened in those 15 missed games.. Bookmakers made Brunson the favorite at +115, ahead of Jokic (+250) and Trae Young (+400), yet that status came before his mid‑April return
Anunoby’s rise and their surge in defensive ratings don’t imply that Brunson is not right for the team, but occasionally playing without a star can let others shine. But it is now natural for the squad to feel out of place welcoming him back again.
The post Overlooking Nikola Jokic, Jalen Brunson Named “Favorite” for NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year Despite 15 Game Absence appeared first on EssentiallySports.
