Madison Square Garden erupted like a volcano on steroids as the New York Knicks hit their 50th win of the season in the most dramatic way possible: a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Jalen Brunson that had Knicks legends and current fans leaping from their seats.

Jalen Brunson is on the fast track to becoming the most beloved player in Knicks history - CBSSports.com

In a back-and-forth thriller against the Miami Heat, it all came down to the final possession. With 3.4 seconds on the clock and the score tied, Brunson took the inbound near half-court, hesitated for just a breath, and then launched a rainbow over two defenders. Swish. Game over. Garden chaos.

Videos of the moment instantly went viral. Not just the shot, but Brunson’s celebration—a sprint down the court, a jump onto the scorer’s table, and a scream to the crowd: “This is OUR city!”

Stephen A. Smith called it “the most electrifying moment at MSG since Linsanity.” Spike Lee cried. The Knicks’ bench stormed the court. On social media, Knicks fans coined a new nickname: Dagger Don Jalen.

Knicks 2022-23 player review: Jalen Brunson - Posting and Toasting

The 50-win milestone is more than just a stat—it marks the first time since the 2012-2013 season that the Knicks have reached that plateau. But this isn’t a fluke. This is a well-oiled machine, powered by Brunson’s leadership, Julius Randle’s versatility, and a deep, gritty bench that’s bought in completely to Coach Tom Thibodeau’s vision.

Even LeBron James tweeted after the game: “Brunson is COLD. NY looking scary.”

But the buzz doesn’t stop there. Analysts now predict the Knicks could lock in a Top 3 seed in the East. With playoff matchups looming, the energy in the city is off the charts. Season ticket waitlists are exploding. Knicks merch is flying off the shelves.

In a city starving for basketball glory, Jalen Brunson may have just delivered the loudest message yet: New York is BACK.