The New York Knicks did the unthinkable last night and came all the way back from a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter with eight minutes left in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Jalen Brunson dropped 38 points on 15-of-29 shooting, showcasing the grim reality that the Charlotte Hornets will have to face in the near future if they make the playoffs: you have to find an answer to limit Brunson.
Brunson has been one of the most clutch players in the league, and Game 1 was another masterclass. In the fourth quarter and overtime alone, he knocked down 80 percent of his shots on 10 attempts, carving up the defense like it was nothing.
He looked virtually unguardable, the kind of scorer who bends a game to his will. You know Charles Lee has to be thinking, deep down, how do you possibly scheme for that?
Jalen Brunson cooking James Harden should be a warning to the Hornets
In Game 1, Brunson relentlessly targeted James Harden in the closing minutes. Possession after possession, he blew by him off the dribble or walked into his spots without resistance.
Harden is a textbook reminder of how negative defenders become major liabilities, especially in the playoffs where every possession carries weight. You can’t hide weak links in May and June, and elite offenses will find them and punish them.
Harden is one of the best isolation scorers in NBA history, but he tends to struggle in the playoffs. And since Cleveland didn’t have the same type of elite clutch player to fire back, it came back to bite them.
Charlotte should be paying close attention to that reality, and finding more players that embody physicality may be the counter that helps.
The Hornets should be well aware of Brunson’s immense talent
The Hornets have already witnessed firsthand what Jalen Brunson can do over the course of a regular season. In fact, he’s averaged roughly 28 points on 50 percent shooting across his last three matchups with Charlotte.
For the Hornets’ starting lineup, improvement on the defensive end isn’t optional. That responsibility will fall heavily on LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller, all of whom may be asked to take primary on‑ball assignments throughout the night to try and slow Brunson down.
Because Brunson is a smaller guard, Charlotte’s best counter might be to lean into length and physicality. Sion James has already earned trust from Coach Lee as a strong defender, consistently drawing the toughest assignments.
You could argue he’s the Hornets’ best defender, though Moussa Diabate and Josh Green belong in that same conversation. Regardless of who gets the call, someone must rise to the moment when the game tightens.
Clutch situations have been tough for the Hornets
And close games have been a problem. Charlotte has won just one of five contests that were clutch situations post All-Star break—a trend that can’t continue if they want to compete with playoff-caliber teams.
Charlotte has the personnel to make his life difficult, but potential only matters if it translates into wins. Establishing a true defensive identity against elite scorers like Brunson may be one of the final levers this team still needs to pull.
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