Knicks' Jalen Brunson Talks Success in Off-Ball Plays: 'F--k It, Let's Keep Doing It'

The New York Knicks have utilized guard Jalen Brunson in more off-ball screens and dribble handoffs ever since All-Star forward Julius Randle suffered a season-ending dislocated right shoulder on Jan. 29, as noted by Fred Katz of The Athletic.

"It started working," Brunson told Katz regarding the practice. "And then we said, 'F--k it, let's keep doing it.' "

Katz provided the numbers on just how much the Knicks' offense has changed in this regard.

"Brunson is running around 25.3 off-ball screens per 100 possessions in the 33 games since the Randle injury, compared to just 7.1 in the 46 before it, according to information tracked by Second Spectrum. He's navigating 13.7 dribble handoffs per 100 post-Randle injury, nearly doubling his previous average of 8.4."

Randle averaged 24.0 points on 47.2 percent shooting in 46 games this season. Obviously, it was hard for teams to focus on both Brunson and Randle, the team's top two scorers.

With Randle out, more attention went toward Brunson, mandating a change in how the Knicks do things so they could free the superstar up, as Katz noted.

The proof on how well this has worked is in the results. Since Jan. 30, Brunson has averaged 31.0 points and 7.1 assists per game.

Over his last seven contests, Brunson has posted 38.4 PPG, including a 61-point effort against the San Antonio Spurs and 88 total points in his last two games (both Knicks wins).

Losing Randle has been a tough blow to the team, but Brunson's efforts have propelled the Knicks into third place in the Eastern Conference, just one game behind the second-place Milwaukee Bucks. A road date with the Boston Celtics now looms next on Thursday.