Jalen Brunson 'overconfident' Knicks can take next step
Share this @internewscast.com

This was not about a moral victory.

It wasn’t about taking solace in anything after a hard-fought series.

Jalen Brunson wanted to make that clear.

He didn’t view the Knicks reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years as any sort of achievement.

Despite not reaching their final destination, the Knicks captain wanted to highlight the positives from this season, even though they were six victories away from their ultimate aim.

“Perhaps ‘accomplished’ isn’t the term I’d use,” Brunson remarked following the Knicks’ six-game playoff exit to the Pacers on Saturday night. “Nevertheless, witnessing the team’s growth this year was genuinely enjoyable for me. Many doubted our capabilities and were skeptical about our goals. Yet, we stayed focused and worked hard, which is something I truly admire about this team. I’m proud of our perseverance.”


Jalen Brunson reacts during the fourth quarter of the Knicks' Game 6 loss to the Pacers on May 31.
Jalen Brunson reacts during the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ Game 6 loss to the Pacers on May 31. Charles Wenzelberg

The Knicks had a strong regular season, winning 51 games, their most since the 2012-13 season.

Still, when it came to playoff contention, the Knicks were largely overlooked, a result of their 0-8 slump against the Eastern Conference’s top seeds, the reigning champions Celtics and Cavaliers.


Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs

Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series.


But the Knicks stunned Boston in the second round, rallying from 20-point deficits at TD Garden in each of the first two games.

They played deeper into the spring than expected.

In the losing locker room, there was frustration and disappointment, but also optimism for the future.


Jalen Brunson drives with the ball during the Knicks' Game 6 loss to the Pacers on May 31.
Jalen Brunson drives with the ball during the Knicks’ Game 6 loss to the Pacers on May 31. Charles Wenzelberg

A belief that there is more to come from this group.

It was their first year together, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges joining the Brunson-led core that also included Mitchell Robinson, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Miles McBride.

That entire group is under contract next season, and Brunson believes it can take the next step together.

“The most confident. Overconfident. Seriously,” Brunson said. “There’s not an ounce of any type of doubt that I’m not confident with this group.

“We have a lot of guys who are on this team, and I feel like you guys always ask, ‘what do you work on whenever you come back?’ and stuff like that,” he added. “And from what I’ve seen, no one’s really out there posting themselves about the things that they do. We have a lot of guys that just genuinely want to work hard to be better, and I like that, and I appreciate my teammates and everything they do and everything they believe in.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Russia launches the biggest aerial attack since the start of the war, Ukraine says

Ukraine Reports Largest Airstrike by Russia Since War Began

KYIV, Ukraine — According to a Ukrainian official, Russia carried out its…
Two planes collided at Hanoi Airport.

Four Pilots Suspended Following Incident Where Boeing Clips Tail of Parked Airbus on Runway

ALL four pilots involved in a horrifying runway plane collision which saw…
Edwin Diaz's plan for changeup after adding pitch to his arsenal

Edwin Diaz’s Strategy for Incorporating the Changeup into His Pitching Repertoire

PITTSBURGH — Edwin Díaz’s arsenal during his Mets tenure has consisted strictly…
Freak accident at the beach sends teen to ICU as mom warns of waterfront danger

Unexpected Beach Accident Lands Teen in ICU; Mother Cautions Against Shoreline Hazards

A teenager remains in intensive care after suffering severe injuries in a…
Satellite Images Reveal the Hellish Devastation Unleashed on Iran's Fordow Nuclear Plant

RedState Weekly Update: Valuable Lessons and Major Successes

Welcome to the RedState Weekly Briefing — your quick roundup of the…
Boat catches fire near Cape Canaveral, passengers saved

Boat Engulfed in Flames Near Cape Canaveral; All Passengers Rescued Safely

First responders rescued four people from a burning boat off the coast…
El Chapo’s Mexican drug cartel ‘hired hacker to infiltrate public CCTV cameras to track down and kill FBI informants’

Drug Cartel Allegedly Employed Hacker to Access Public CCTV and Eliminate Informants: FBI

EL CHAPO’S ruthless cartel used a hacker to break into Mexico City’s…
Chicago Pride Bowl LGBTQ+ flag football tournament held at Montrose Beach, presented by Metropolitan Sports Association, Bears

Chicago Pride Bowl LGBTQ+ Flag Football Tournament Takes Place at Montrose Beach, Hosted by Metropolitan Sports Association and Bears

CHICAGO (WLS) — This weekend marked Pride in Chicago, and in addition…
Bears escape wildlife park enclosure and feast on week's worth of honey

Bears Break Free from Wildlife Park Enclosure and Enjoy Week-Long Honey Feast

In a scene reminiscent of “Winnie the Pooh,” two young bears that…
Funeral held for Adriana Smith, who gave birth while on life support

Adriana Smith, Who Gave Birth on Life Support, Honored at Funeral

Lawmakers, nurses and family paid tribute to Adriana Smith during her funeral…
Westside apartment shooting leaves three people injured

Teen Wounded in Jacksonville House Party Shooting, Authorities Report

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says it happened just after 9 p.m. Saturday…
Breaking: US Senate Holds Procedural Vote on Trump 'One Big Beautiful Bill'

Update: US Senate Conducts Initial Vote on Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

On Saturday evening, the U.S. Senate made an initial yet significant advance…