Jalen Brunson has become the steady hand behind everything that the New York Knicks have been building over these past few years.

This postseason is no different. 

Brunson and the Knicks have raced out to a 3–0 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in their second-round matchup, extending their overall winning streak to six games dating back to the first round against the Atlanta Hawks. That run began with New York facing adversity after falling behind Atlanta, 2–1, before responding with three straight wins to close the series in six. Now, the Knicks are one win away from sweeping Philadelphia and returning to the Eastern Conference finals with momentum and, potentially, some much-needed rest.

Brunson has been brilliant through it all. In nine playoff games, he is averaging 28.0 points on 48.6 percent shooting, along with 2.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.0 steals. Those numbers are impressive on their own, but his value to New York has always gone beyond the scoring column. He controls the pace of the game, is the heart and soul of their possessions, and consistently makes the right decisions for the Knicks in tense moments.

Game 3 in Philadelphia was the latest example. With OG Anunoby, New York’s second-leading scorer this postseason, sidelined, Brunson carried the offense with 33 points, five rebounds, and nine assists in a convincing 108–94 win. The game was technically on Philadelphia’s home floor, but the crowd was filled with Knicks fans, giving New York a road environment that was more supportive than hostile.

Philadelphia opened the game with energy and built a 12-point lead in the first quarter, but New York never looked rattled. The Knicks closed the period down only four, 31–27, and Brunson had his fingerprints all over their run. During that push to end the opening period, New York had eight field goals. Brunson scored two of them and assisted on four more, helping steer the Knicks back into the game

By the second quarter, New York’s bench-led lineup had grabbed the lead, going up 38–35 at the 8:20 mark before Brunson took over to further pad the lead. The Knicks never gave the lead back for the rest of the night. They entered halftime ahead 60–52 and controlled most of the second half, even after Philadelphia cut the deficit to four in the third period. Brunson scored 18 of his 33 points after halftime, helping New York blow the game open in the fourth quarter and stretch the lead to as many as 16.

Completing a sweep in Game 4 is a must for these Knicks who were banged up late in each of their last two postseason runs which ultimately contributed to their downfall. Extra rest before the Eastern Conference finals would be valuable for everyone, especially Anunoby, whose hamstring injury is not considered serious.

New York is once again making a deep playoff push, and Brunson remains the heart and soul of it all. If these Knicks can stay healthy, this may finally be the year they break through and return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.