Jalen Brunson gave fans a moment to remember even before tip-off againg the Chicago Bulls on Friday. The New York Knicks star sank a one-handed, over-the-shoulder shot from deep during warmups. The clip quickly went viral after the NBA shared it online.
Jalen Brunson’s Viral Moment Before Bulls Game Highlights Strong Return
The Knicks hosted the Bulls at Madison Square Garden on April 3. Before the game started, Brunson casually threw the ball backward over his shoulder from long range. The shot had a high arc and dropped cleanly into the basket, drawing attention across social media.
NBA official X handle posted the clip of Brunson taking the calling captioning it as Brunson’s pre-game magic.
Some pregame magic from Jalen Brunson 🤯
Knicks/Bulls is live on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/ODurgew0UG
— NBA (@NBA) April 4, 2026
The 6-foot-2 guard entered the game coming off a one-game absence. He did not play in New York’s previous matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies due to right ankle soreness. He was no longer on the injury report for Friday’s game and returned as the team’s star point guard.
By halftime, Brunson had scored nine points on 4-of-9 shooting, including 1-of-3 from three-point range. He also added one rebound and nine assists, helping control the game’s pace. In his last five games against the Bulls, Brunson has averaged 26.8 points, 7.8 assists, and 3.4 rebounds.
The Knicks meanwhile entered the game with a 49-28 record, while Chicago came in struggling at 29-47 and on a five game loosing streak. The Knicks are currently third in the Eastern Conference and hold a one-game lead over the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
The team recently saw its seven-game winning streak snapped by three straight losses at the end of March. However, they bounced back with a 130-119 win over the Grizzlies. With Brunson back on the court, New York is aiming to build momentum again.
The Knicks have already secured a playoff spot for the fourth straight year. They clinched their place on Monday after the Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Miami Heat. Under head coach Mike Brown, the team has stayed among the top teams in the East and is looking to make another deep playoff run after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2025.
Brunson remains key to those hopes. He is averaging 26.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists this season while shooting 46.5% from the field and 37.1% from three. His performance continues to drive the team as they prepare for the postseason.
With no room for another losing streak, the Knicks will rely on Brunson’s leadership and consistency to stay strong heading into the playoffs.
