Greatness isn’t a one-time thing. It’s excelling again, again and then one more time. Brunson has done that in New York, and the safe bet is that he’ll continue to as the Knicks embark on their most pressured-filled postseason during his time.

Brunson’s rhythm is back — but so are the stakes. He can’t push the Knicks to new heights by himself, and with the help he’s got in the starting lineup, the captain doesn’t need to shoulder the responsibility alone.

Despite posting its best season regular-season record in 12 years, New York reportedly faces internal dissent amid locker room fractures that only team leader Brunson can heal, according to former NBA All-Star and current MSG Network analyst Wally Szczerbiak.