Jalen Brunson's potential illness raises questions about his availability for the New York Knicks' crucial NBA Cup semifinal clash against the Orlando Magic.

Hart’s point, in his own way, was clear: Brunson is playing at an elite level right now. And Knicks coach Mike Brown was more direct, walking into the postgame interview room Saturday and hammering home a specific point he’s been making in recent weeks — that Brunson, even this early in the season, belongs in the MVP conversation.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown made Jalen Brunson's case for MVP after the superstar PG dropped 40 to beat the Magic and advance to the NBA Cup final.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 29 points for a Knicks team

New York’s captain won last season’s NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year award, an honor that goes to someone who routinely wills their team to victory in the game’s most intense moments. Brunson did it in the regular season and the playoffs. He did it while being defended by players three inches taller, some 20 pounds heavier. A scorer’s scorer.

Knicks captain Jalen Brunson leads the way before New York and San Antonio vie for the Emirates NBA Cup in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Jalen Brunson dropped 40 points as the New York Knicks defeated the Orlando Magic 132-120 on Saturday in Las Vegas to clinch a spot in the NBA Cup finals.

The Knicks’ latest injury report suggests that Jalen Brunson is clear to play tonight’s exciting semifinal bash against the Orlando Magic.

Dirk Nowitzki poured out his heart after Jalen Brunson's 40-bomb against the Orlando Magic, telling Brunson how proud he is of him.

Collins, now 47, was known as a defensive center and played 13 seasons in the NBA from 2001-2014. He was drafted as the 18th overall pick out of the Stanford Cardinal to the Houston Rockets, who would then trade him to the then New Jersey Nets. Collins would play for multiple teams in his career before retiring as a member of the Brooklyn Nets.