Jalen Brunson isnt afraid of the massive Knicks moment that awaits him in Game 5

SAN ANTONIO — OG Anunoby is having a moment, birthed from a moment that will outlive us all.The national recognition is long overdue for the Knicks’ best two-way player, who could soon be named the NBA Finals MVP.But Jalen Brunson remains the leader in the clubhouse for the award, uniquely built to crush whatever will the Spurs have left, looking to lead the Knicks to their first title in 53 years, eight years after leaving San Antonio with his second national championship.“I think the one thing that stays constant is I’ve always told myself, and always been taught by my parents, ‘Never be afraid to fail,’” Brunson said Friday at Frost Bank Center.

“You put yourself in those positions in the summertime when you’re envisioning what’s going on the court, when you’re by yourself on the court …“When those opportunities come about, you’re not afraid of the moment because you worked hard enough to where if you do fail, you’re going to learn anyway.You put the confidence you have in everything you do when the lights aren’t on, when no one’s watching.”Brunson is 48 minutes from forever, coming off a brilliant effort in the record-setting 29-point Game 4 comeback, when he had 36 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals, including a key 3-pointer over Victor Wembanyama — bringing the Knicks within one with 2:21 remaining — and the go-ahead shot to put the Knicks in front for the first time with 1:22 left.Brunson has played the hero multiple times this series — scoring 13 fourth-quarter points in Game 1, then recording a steal in between his game-tying and game-winning shots in Game 2 — but he has been uncharacteristically inefficient, struggling with the speed and physicality of a defense hellbent on bumping and blitzing him at every opportunity.Through three games, Brunson scored 82 points on 81 shots, had as many turnovers as assists (13) and recorded a minus-13 rating.

In Game 4, he looked most comfortable, getting...