What happened: Jalen Brunson scored 17 points in the second quarter on Sunday. The offensive burst fueled a double-digit advantage heading into the halftime break.

Why it matters: The scoring surge highlights Brunson's central offensive role following a championship run, where Brunson joined Michael Jordan with a 45-point Finals closeout in June. Sustaining elite scoring stretches remains critical as New York positions itself in the Eastern Conference standings.

What to watch: New York looks to protect its lead through the second half and maintain offensive momentum.