But there is a simpler thought of where the Knicks are right now. It's one that Josh Hart voiced out loud following the win over the Houston Rockets Monday when the Knicks wiped out a double-digit, fourth-quarter lead with Jalen Brunson taking over at the end.

But Jalen Brunson passed the eye test. He’s a carrier and said it comes from his mother, Sandra. “She keeps me focused, she keeps me grounded,” Brunson said. “My dad pushed me to be the best player I can be.

Josh Hart turned in a triple-double, and Jalen Brunson scored 25 points in the Knicks 143-120 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Hart and Brunson spoke about the team's solid performance, while coach Tom Thibodeau credited New York's focus on playing well in all four quarters.

Thanks to Jalen Brunson, the New York Knicks were OK without OG.

While it was Precious Achiuwa who stepped into the starting spot vacated by Anunoby, who missed his first game of the season with a sprained right foot suffered Saturday night, it was the four remaining starters who picked up the slack,

Jalen Brunson had 42 points and 10 assists, breaking a tie with Carmelo Anthony for third on the franchise list with his 18th 40-point game with the Knicks, and New York beat the Houston Rockets 124-118 on Monday night.

Well, MVPs have a habit of raising their game to another level when co-stars, particularly ones as important as OG Anunoby, are out. And that’s exactly what the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson did.