Jalen Brunson and the Knicks took the excessive highway and opted in opposition to including extra gas to the hearth.
Given an opportunity to react to CJ McCollum’s accusation that Brunson faked an injury so as to get him a technical foul, Brunson was tight-lipped.
“I have no reaction,” Brunson mentioned after apply Sunday. “No comment.”
During the second quarter of the Knicks’ 113-102 Game 1 win over the Hawks on Saturday evening at Madison Square Garden, McCollum obtained a technical for kicking Brunson within the midsection whereas taking a soar shot. (He was additionally referred to as for a journey on the play.) Brunson stayed down on the bottom in ache for a number of moments earlier than getting again to his ft.
McCollum believed Brunson milked it.
“I shot a jumper and Jalen thought we were at a Broadway show,” McCollum mentioned after the sport. “He acted it out until they reviewed it. It’s a normal jump shot. Nothing there. Unnecessary and I look forward to getting my $2,500 [fine] back.”
Brunson after the sport mentioned he didn’t suppose it was purposeful. On Sunday, coach Mike Brown mentioned he didn’t even see McCollum’s feedback.
“A lot of guys are gonna say a lot of things throughout the course of the playoffs,” Brown mentioned. “So whatever people want to say, that’s up to them. But I didn’t see it.”
OG Anunoby (left ankle sprain) is listed as possible for Game 2 on Monday at MSG. He briefly exited after rolling his left ankle in Game 1 — the identical one which pressured him to exit the penultimate regular-season recreation.
He practiced Sunday, Brown mentioned.
Onyeka Okongwu (proper knee irritation) is questionable for the Hawks.
Brunson won’t repeat because the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year. He was not named one of many three finalists Sunday.
Anunoby was not one of many three finalists for Defensive Player of the Year. Earlier this month, he shared his perception that he ought to win it, a uncommon little bit of expression from the usually quiet Anunoby.
