Brunson continued his hot-scoring nights into the series against the Pacers after knocking out the defending champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. He scored 43 points in Game 1 and followed up with 36 in Game 2. However, it wasn't enough, as the Knicks dropped the first two games.

Among the several media narratives being discussed around the basketball world, one of the most prominent ones has been the superstar status of the best players on each team in the conference finals.

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.