In previous iterations of the Brunson team, we had some memorable comebacks, but also the kinds of memorable collapses that this year’s team mostly avoided. (Even when we struggled late, we still pulled it out.)

They were the best fourth-quarter team in the 30 seasons for which we have play-by-play data, outscoring opponents by 11.7 points per 100 possessions in fourth quarters.

They made 5 corner 3-pointers per game, the most for any team in the 30 seasons of shot-location data. OG Anunoby led all players in total corner 3-pointers in both the regular season (88) and the playoffs (25).

They were 6-2 in playoff games they trailed by double digits. That was the best such playoff record for any team in the 30 years of play-by-play data, and the NBA Finals were the second best-of-seven series in that time where a team trailed by double digits in all four of its wins. (The other time was the Knicks’ first-round series against Philadelphia in 2024.)

Key question: How much of the title run was sustainable?