Villanova in the Pros
Villanova in the Pros: Jalen Brunson Drops 55, Knicks Win 7th Straight

Another day, another standout performance for a Villanova Wildcats alumnus in the NBA. This time it was Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, who dropped 55 points, the second-highest output of his career, in New York’s 136-132 overtime win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday, Dec. 28.
Despite shooting a paltry 3-of-11 from beyond the arc, Brunson made 15 of 18 shots from 2-point range and drained 16 of his 17 free throws. He also added nine assists. Brunson went to the half with 13 points before going off in the third quarter for 19, then added five more in the last minute of regulation to send the game to overtime as the Knicks struggled in the second game of a back-to-back.
JALEN BRUNSON DROPS A 55-PIECE 🤯
🗽 18-31 FGM (58.1 FG%)
🗽 16-17 FTM (94.1 FT%)
🗽 9 AST
🗽 OT winThe @nyknicks win their 7th in a row! pic.twitter.com/R0pv6s9YxJ
— NBA (@NBA) December 29, 2024
Former Villanova players accounted for 15 of the Knicks’ 17 points scored in the extra period: Brunson with seven and Josh Hart with six, while Mikal Bridges jammed home a go-ahead dunk with the only shot he took in overtime. Bridges finished the game with 23 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. A day after his best scoring game of the season, Hart dropped a 13 point double-double with 11 boards, seven assists and a steal, helping the Knicks to their seventh straight win.