ATLANTA — A Surprising Turn of Events

This wasn’t exactly how things were meant to unfold.

Sure, there were some uncertainties surrounding Karl-Anthony Towns. Mike Brown’s rotation was bound to stir a few debates. And let’s not even get started on how unpredictable the Knicks’ defense has been.

But Jalen Brunson? He was, or at least, was expected to be, the standout player on the court.

Brunson was supposed to bring his A-game, the one everyone anticipated.

Yet, after two matches in this first-round series against the Hawks (with Games 3 and 4 set for Atlanta, currently tied 1-1), Brunson hasn’t been that player. Instead, it’s CJ McCollum who’s shone brighter.

In those opening games, Brunson managed to hit just 19 out of 48 shots (39.6 percent), including an impressive start with 8 of 11 in Game 1. However, since then, it’s been a struggle—11 of 37 shots in the last seven quarters, a dismal 29.7 percent.

“We need to find ways to keep him moving,” Coach Mike Brown mentioned after practice. “And introduce different looks throughout the game.”

Dyson Daniels and Nickell-Alexander-Walker have been the main defenders up against Brunson in these matches. Their length and athleticism seem to be the only factors that can really disrupt him on the court.

They were certainly physical with Brunson, and Brown thinks they may be crossing a line.

“I’m still trying to determine what constitutes a bump and what doesn’t,” Brown pointed out after Game 2. “You see players like CJ draw fouls while driving. Jalen is facing similar treatment, albeit he’s not as nimble or fast, which complicates things for him.”

It’s not just about his shooting, either. Brunson’s made some key turnovers that have proven costly.

In Game 2, a heart-wrenching loss at 107-106, the Knicks held a two-point lead with under 20 seconds left and had a chance to either tie or take the lead. Brunson attempted a jump shot against Alexander-Walker but ended up getting stripped, leading to a quick break and a dunk by Jalen Johnson—pushing the Hawks’ lead to four points with just 10 seconds remaining.

“Clearly, you can only manage what’s within your control,” Brunson acknowledged. “That was a poor choice on my part. Their defense was solid, and they forced the ball out of my hands.”

Moreover, the Knicks’ game plan shifted back to isolations centered around Brunson, rather than capitalizing on the effective two-man game he and Towns showcased towards the end of the season.

Brunson’s style has brought the Knicks’ offense to a halt. His shooting woes contribute to overall inefficiency. It’s somewhat of a spiral—if he prioritizes isolation plays, his shot quality diminishes further, especially since he’s not leveraging his teammates effectively. It’s not about him taking too many shots, but rather the way he’s approaching them.

Record shows he held onto the ball for an average of 10.3 seconds per possession in the first two games, the longest of any postseason player before Wednesday’s match.

This approach stifled the contributions of role players, especially Towns. Recall last year when the Knicks were tied 1-1 in the first round against the Pistons, even without Towns in the loss? Brunson had said,

“It’s one ball, and we have many talented players on this team. Ultimately, it falls on me. I’m not finger-pointing; it’s up to me to set things right.”

Fast forward a year, and it seems Brunson and the Knicks find themselves in a very similar predicament.