Stephen A. Smith Declares Jalen Brunson as Knicks' Most Important Player

ESPN analyst believes the point guard's clutch play is key to the team's playoff hopes

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:06pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game or match, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conveying the dynamic energy and multiple perspectives of the sport.A cubist interpretation of the Knicks' star point guard Jalen Brunson, whose leadership and clutch play are seen as the key to the team's success.Boston Today

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith believes that Jalen Brunson is the most important player for the New York Knicks, even more so than Karl-Anthony Towns. Smith argues that Brunson's ability to close games and lead the team's offense is crucial to the Knicks' success, especially against top Eastern Conference teams like the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Hawks.

Why it matters

The Knicks are currently third in the Eastern Conference standings, but have struggled at times against elite teams. Smith's assessment of Brunson's importance highlights the need for the point guard to play at a high level for the Knicks to make a deep playoff run.

The details

In a segment on First Take, Smith praised Brunson's individual performance in the Knicks' recent win over the Grizzlies, with Brunson scoring 26 points and dishing out 6 assists. However, Smith argued that the Knicks' true test will come against the top teams in the East, such as the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Hawks. Smith believes that Brunson's ability to close out games and lead the team's offense is more crucial than Towns' overall production, as Brunson's 'clutch gene' is what the Knicks need to succeed against the best competition.

  • The Knicks beat the Grizzlies 130-119 on April 1, 2026.

The players

Jalen Brunson

The starting point guard for the New York Knicks, averaging 26.1 points and 6.7 assists per game this season.

Karl-Anthony Towns

The star center for the New York Knicks, who posted a triple-double in the team's recent win over the Grizzlies.

Stephen A. Smith

A prominent ESPN analyst who discussed the Knicks' most important player on the network's show First Take.

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What they’re saying

“Now I will say this. Mikhail Bridges had 24 points last night. Thank God. I'm happy about that. Karl-Anthony Towns. Okay, you take advantage. 20 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists. Big boy. Okay, you playing like a big man. I got that part. OG Anunoby stepped up. Jalen Brunson sits out to ankle soreness. I got it.”

— Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Analyst

“[The] answer to this is easy. It's Jalen Brunson. I know Karl-Anthony Towns is needed, but that's assuming you get what we've been getting from Jalen Brunson. He is the dude that starts this engine. Everything goes where Jalen Brunson takes you.”

— Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Knicks will need to continue to rely on Jalen Brunson's leadership and clutch play as they face tough Eastern Conference opponents in the final stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs.

The takeaway

Stephen A. Smith's assessment of Jalen Brunson as the Knicks' most important player highlights the point guard's crucial role in the team's success. With Brunson's ability to close out games and lead the offense, the Knicks will need him to be at his best if they hope to make a deep playoff run and challenge the top teams in the East.