JUST IN: Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks overlooked once more by not being included in the most recent NBA MVP rankings.

In the 2023-24 NBA season, Jalen Brunson, the standout player for the New York Knicks, has faced heightened media scrutiny despite his impressive performance. While his scoring prowess has elevated to 26.6 points per game, criticisms have emerged not only for his current display but also for his past performances. Some critiques are attributed to the challenges of establishing himself as an elite scorer, while others, like his exclusion from the 2024 All-Star game starting lineup, are seen as a result of stiff competition in the Eastern Conference.

Although Brunson trails behind the top 10, led by former MVPs Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic, he compares favorably to Sacramento Kings’ star Domantas Sabonis. Despite Sabonis excelling in rebounds and assists as a power forward, Brunson holds a significant scoring advantage, ranking 12th in the league with 19.9 points per game compared to Sabonis’ 19.9 PPG. Additionally, Brunson’s Knicks boast a better record than Sabonis’ Kings in a tightly contested Eastern Conference playoff race.

Despite his stellar performance, Brunson missed out on All-Star recognition, losing to Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, and Zion Williamson. Haliburton and Lillard secured starting positions over Brunson. Edwards leads a formidable Timberwolves team in the Western Conference, while Williamson exhibits dominance in the paint for the Pelicans.

While Brunson faces tough competition in the MVP race, he could surpass Edwards or Mitchell in future rankings, given his superior field goal and three-point percentages. The Knicks look to Brunson’s elite contributions as they strive to improve their standing in the Eastern Conference.