The Knicks have multiple representatives as finalists for NBA awards after a memorable regular season.
The league announced Friday its finalists for Coach of the Year, Most Improved Player, Sixth Man of the Year, and MVP, and New York has a finalist in two of those categories, with Immanuel Quickley a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year, and Jalen Brunson a finalist for Most Improved Player.
Quickley, considered a long shot to win the award just months ago, shot up the rankings down the stretch of the regular season, and is now considered a favorite up against Boston’s Malcolm Brogdon and Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis. Over his final 25 games of the season, Quickley averaged 20.2 points and 4.0 assists per game, while shooting 47.1 percent from the field.
Brunson rose to stardom this season in New York, vaulting himself into All-NBA conversation after finishing the season averaging 24 points and 6.2 assists per game, while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from downtown.
If Brunson took home the award, he would be the second Knick in the last three seasons to win, after Julius Randle received the honor for the 2020-21 season. But Brunson has stiff competition in the form of Utah’s Lauri Markkanen and especially Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
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