A Brunson master class paved the way for a big interconference victory for the Knicks, who difused the Houston Rockets by a 124-118 final on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. Brunson posted a 42-point, 10-assist double-double, his first with at least 40 and 10 in the regular season.

This is why you call him captain — because when the Knicks needed him most, Jalen Brunson delivered. With OG Anunoby sidelined due to a right foot sprain and New York’s defense scrambling without its best stopper,

While it was Precious Achiuwa who stepped into the starting spot vacated by Anunoby, who missed his first game of the season with a sprained right foot suffered Saturday night, it was the four remaining starters who picked up the slack,