New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson couldn’t miss on Sunday to propel Team USA’s statement win against defending FIBA World Cup champion Spain.
Getty
Spain’s Jaime Pradilla (L), Spain’s Santi Aldama (2nd L) and Spain’s Dario Brizuela (R) vie with US’ Jalen Brunson during the international friendly basketball match between Spain and US at Martin Carpena sportshall in Malaga on August 13, 2023.
New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson couldn’t miss on Sunday to propel Team USA’s statement win against defending FIBA World Cup champion Spain 98-88 at Palacio de Deportes Maria Martin Carpena in Malaga, Spain.
Brunson unloaded 16 of his game-high 22 points in the first half and rallied Team USA to weather a late Spain fightback that silenced the home team’s 10,850 fans.
Brunson on ???????? with 16 pts so far in the first half
???????? #USABMNT
???? FOX pic.twitter.com/CxaWYQZTz6
USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 13, 2023
It was Team USA’s third straight decisive victory — all by double-digits — in their warmup games leading to the 2023 FIBA World Cup later this month in Manila, Philippines.
Devoid of the top-tier NBA stars, the 26-year-old Brunson was Steve Kerr’s anointed leader, and the Knicks point guard is up to the task.
Brunson continued his impressive run with the senior men’s national team with flawless shooting, sinking 9-of-9 from the floor, while adding five assists and four rebounds that had Fox Sports basketball analyst Bill Raftery describing him, “Flawless in his scoring & extraordinary in his leadership qualities,” on the broadcast.
