Tom Thibodeau is once again not happy with the referee's treatment of Jalen Brunson.
“What's going on with him is ridiculous,” the Knicks coach said after his team's 99-95 win over the Nets in Brooklyn on Tuesday. “I really do. I'll leave it at that.”
Brunson hit four free throws against the Nets, which was significantly fewer than in a typical game. Over the course of the season, the point guard averaged 7.1 attempts per game.
Thibodeau was particularly perplexed that Brunson's final shot (a missed drive) was not called when the Knicks were leading 97-95 with 32.1 seconds left.
If Brunson had gotten the foul call (and taken the shot, of course), he would have had a chance to put the Knicks up by four points.
Instead, the Nets had a chance to take the lead on the ensuing possession, but Cam Johnson's 3-pointer missed.
“You don't know the last play on the drive,” Thibodeau said. “I'll send you the clips. I'll do everything.”
Asked what kind of response he received from the league when he raised concerns about Brunson's coaching style, Thibodeau replied: It's clear what happened on that drive. … I don't know what the difference in free throws was, but it was huge. It was big. And we're attacking the basket. I'm watching [Karl-Anthony Towns] Go, I'm watching Jalen go – contact, a foul is a foul.
“If a player gets fouled, you have to call it. That's your job.”
The Nets made 25 free throws to the Knicks' 14.
Still, Brunson was responsible for helping the Knicks hold off the Nets, scoring eight of the final 10 points.
“He really played the cap role. He put on the cape,” Towns said, referring to Brunson's captaincy. “We know how special he is. He lives for that moment.”
The Knicks will find out Thursday night whether they have two, one, or none All-Star starters.
Towns is ranked a comfortable No. 3 in the latest round of voting, making him the favorite to start in the frontcourt alongside Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo and Boston's Jayson Tatum.
Brunson was No. 4 in the latest backcourt poll, but within striking distance of Charlotte's LaMelo Ball (No. 1), Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell (No. 2) and Milwaukee's Damian Lillard (No. 3).
The starter will be determined by 50% fan voting, 25% player voting, and 25% media voting.
