"Mentally the closest to Kobe": Gilbert Arenas compares Jalen Brunson to Los Angeles Lakers legend after clutch brilliance in New York Knicks’ playoff push

Jalen Brunson has stopped being just a breakout star for the Knicks. He’s quickly becoming one of the most feared closers in the NBA. As the 2024–25 playoffs roll on, Brunson’s fearless play in crunch time is turning heads everywhere. Even though the Celtics pulled off a big Game 5 win, folks in the basketball world are starting to put Brunson in the same conversation as the league’s best clutch players. Whether it’s leading comebacks or hitting cold-blooded shots in the final moments, Brunson is rewriting the Knicks’ playoff story one big play at a time.When the pressure turns up, Jalen Brunson doesn’t back down. He steps up. He earned the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year for 2024–25, and it’s no fluke. He led the league with a 51% shooting percentage in clutch moments and averaged 5.6 points in those final, make-or-break five minutes of the game.But what really sets him apart isn’t just the stats. It’s the way he changes the whole vibe. Madison Square Garden was electric during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals when the Knicks came back from a 12-point deficit in the second half, powered by Brunson’s 24 points after halftime. Even though the Celtics took Game 5, Brunson’s effort kept New York in the fight and was dangerous.Brunson’s clutch gene has even drawn comparisons to basketball royalty. On the Gil’s Arena podcast this week, Gilbert Arenas said it best: “Jalen Brunson, mentally, is the closest thing to what Kobe [Bryant] was in the fourth quarter. No matter what happens, he can be 0 for 20 and in the last five minutes, you already know that that window is different. He’s going to go 4 for 5, he’s going to put the team on his back and it’s hard to find that skill.”The numbers back it up, too. In 10 playoff games this season, Brunson is averaging 30.1 points, 8.0 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game. He does it all as a scorer and playmaker. Whether he’s pulling off tough step-back jumpers or drawing double teams to open up his teammates, Brunson’s late-game presence is a nightmare for defenses.Also Read: New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson crowned NBA’s 2025 Clutch Player of the YearBrunson is shaping the Knicks’ playoff identity with his grit and fourth-quarter magic. He’s not just carrying New York’s run. He’s building a legacy that stands alongside some of the NBA’s greats. The series isn’t over yet, and the future looks bright for Brunson and the Knicks.