BOSTON – Jalen Brunson was reluctant to engage in conversation.
He started the third quarter during the Celtics’ 127-102 loss at TD Garden without any fouls. However, by the 2:45 mark of the quarter, he found himself with five fouls.
“Five fouls in a quarter? I don’t really know what to say about that,” Brunson stated. “I’m not saying anything, either. Sorry.”
During the third quarter, the Knicks were outscored 32-17, and Brunson only managed to contribute two points.
As the Knicks trailed 91-76, Coach Tom Thibodeau brought Brunson back to start the fourth quarter. But it didn’t take long; he fouled out within just under seven minutes.
With a wry smile, he waved to the crowd while the Jumbotron captured his moment on the bench after the foul-out.
“I just felt we were close in this game,” Thibodeau explained when asked about bringing Brunson back despite his foul trouble.
Thibodeau dismissed the idea that the game was officiated differently in the second half. “No, there were a lot of fouls both ways,” he noted. “It was a choppy game, which likely reflected the aggression on the floor.”
Brunson finished with 22 points on 17 shots, alongside six assists. Notably, this was only the second time in the entire postseason that he scored fewer than 22 points.
The Knicks’ starting group, including Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns, struggled significantly against the Celtics’ starters throughout the series.
Often, it is Mitchell Robinson or Miles McBride who come off the bench during Knicks’ runs.
“First, let’s focus on who we’re facing,” Brunson remarked. “The Celtics are tough. They’re the defending champions with plenty of experience. We’ve seen what they’re capable of in recent years, especially after winning last year.”
