DeMarcus Cousins says he'd pick Jalen Brunson over Luka Doncic as Knicks star continues playoff run and Lakers exit early

In a moment that has gotten the NBA community buzzing, former All-Star DeMarcus Cousins revealed he prefers Jalen Brunson to Luka Doncic , stating, "One guy is at home and one guy is playing." This comes as Brunson is guiding the New York Knicks further into the playoffs, while Doncic's Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round. The differing paths of these two former Dallas Mavericks teammates have become a key discussion this postseason.

Brunson's rise and Doncic's early exitJalen Brunson and Luka Doncic, who used to be a dynamic duo for the Dallas Mavericks, have gone in totally different directions since they played together. Brunson is now a key player for the Knicks and has played a huge role in their playoff run. With an average of 28.8 points, 7.7 assists, and 3.9 rebounds across 12 playoff games, his leadership has led the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000.

Boogie Cousins is taking Jalen Brunson over Luka Doncic

"That's obvious. One guy's at home and one guy's playing." 👀

(🎥 @RunItBackFDTV )

pic.twitter.com/qcvAnwGGrY

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 20, 2025

Conversely, Doncic's switch to the Lakers raised a lot of hopes. Unfortunately, after a decent regular season, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves . Doncic struggled defensively, giving up nine blow-bys on 16 defended drives in the elimination game — the worst record for any player in a single playoff game in the 2025 postseason.

Cousins' preference for Brunson shows how much postseason play and being present matter. Brunson's grit and contributions haven't gone unnoticed, particularly as he steers a Knicks team that has tackled big challenges, like that Game 7 loss to the Pacers last year that still pushes him forward.

As the Knicks gear up to take on the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, all eyes are on Brunson. His knack for handling pressure and guiding his team really shows how much he's grown and how determined he is. On the flip side, Doncic is looking at a summer of self-reflection and figuring out how to tackle the issues that caused the Lakers to bow out early.

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Many people are discussing Cousins’ words and the role that playoff achievements and leading your team play. The transformation in Jalen Brunson’s performance with the Knicks shows that determination and play in testing matches can leave a strong mark on your achievements. Because of the playoffs, much attention will be placed on Brunson to see if he can help New York advance to its first NBA Finals in nearly a quarter century.