Tag: Jalen Brunson

Sixers expecting a more aggressive Jalen Brunson in Game 2 vs. Knicks

The Philadelphia 76ers are expecting a more aggressive Jalen Brunson in Game 2 against the New York Knicks.

NEW YORK — As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare for Game 2 with the New York Knicks on Monday night, they know the challenge that is presented to them. The Knicks will continue to be who they are which is an aggressive physical team and the Sixers also know what Jalen Brunson brings to the table.

The Sixers held Brunson to just 8-for-26 shooting in their Game 1 loss to the Knicks on Saturday. He still had 22 points with seven assists and seven rebounds, but overall, one has to like what Philadelphia did defensively against New York’s superstar leader.

“It’s not easy to stop that guy, but I think we did a good job,” said Nic Batum. “We expect him to be more aggressive tomorrow. I don’t think he’s going to be happy with an 8-for-26 so he’s gonna try and correct that so everybody guarding him will have to do a better job tomorrow. We’ll do it as a team as well and see what happens.”

Overall, if the Sixers can play the same type of defense in Game 2 that they brought in Game 1, then one has to like their chances. Philadelphia was terrific on that end of the floor. They held Brunson in check, but the Sixers couldn’t finish possessions with a rebound. That’s the only real flaw that Philadelphia needs to figure out.

On offense, the Sixers just need to figure out how to survive the minutes without Joel Embiid, but that comes with ball movement.

“I think the defense was pretty good, though,” Batum added. “I think the defense was pretty good so we just gotta keep playing the same defense. We gotta finish plays now. We gotta finish plays. They got a lot of offensive rebounds. They missed a lot of shots. Mostly because of our defense sometimes so we got to play the same defense and maybe better finish the plays. On offense, just keep sharing the ball. Joel and Tyrese (Maxey) had a great game and guys around them gotta be better.”

The Sixers will make their adjustments. The Knicks will make adjustments of their own. That’s what happens in these playoff series.

“It’s something about the playoffs that’s different,” Batum added. “Sometimes you have to do something different and maybe we will tomorrow (Game 2).”

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Sixers give ultimate respect to Jalen Brunson, Knicks ahead of Round 1

The Philadelphia 76ers give the ultimate respect to star Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks ahead of their Round 1 series.

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers will have their hands full as they get set to take on the New York Knicks in Round 1 of the playoffs. New York won 50 games and earned the No. 2 seed thanks to strong defense and a budding superstar.

Jalen Brunson is somebody who can score in a variety of ways. Whether it be a 3-point barrage and going to work that way or it’s with him fearlessly driving into the lane and finishing over taller defenders, Brunson is a tough cover and Philadelphia will have to prepare for him.

“He’s a great player,” coach Nick Nurse said of Brunson on Friday at practice. “We’re gonna try and make him work. We’ve got a lot of guys that will probably end up spending time on him and guarding him. Obviously, we’ve done a few different things with him through the course of the year. A lot of different schemes and stuff that we got ready to go. So that’s where it starts, right? We gotta be ready.”

On the season, Brunson averaged 28.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 40.1% from deep. He is also capable of scoring big numbers. He had 61 points on March 29 against the San Antonio Spurs. In the final five games of the season, he averaged 30.5 points and 7.6 assists and shot 47.5% from deep to help New York earn the No. 2 seed.

“The guy’s had an unbelievable season, but he’s had some really unbelievable games and he does it in a lot of ways,” Nurse added. “He’s gonna just score, right? And hit the 3-ball, he’s gonna draw fouls, he’s gonna be out there the whole game. All that stuff so he’s, again, he’s a superstar in this league, and we gotta get our guys ready to guard him.”

The Sixers have a lot of defenders they can throw at Brunson. From guys like Kyle Lowry to Tobias Harris to Kelly Oubre Jr., the Sixers will certainly have their options against him. Even Tyrese Maxey has continued to make strides as a defensive option.

The biggest thing is just containing him. There isn’t a real pace that Brunson prefers. He plays at his own pace and plays everything out in his mind.

“I think that he’s unique in that he’ll play in any pace that he feels is necessary,” Nurse added. “There’s a lot of times when he’s got the ball and he’s throwing it ahead and pushing pace which they, obviously, did to us a couple times. We’ve been talking about that for weeks. That’s high on a lot of team’s board against us.”

Opposing teams will do everything they can to avoid Joel Embiid in the half-court. So there is a chance that Brunson will want to push the ball and get out in transition, and the Sixers will be ready for that, but Philadelphia just wants to contain Brunson in any setting.

“Like, let’s get it up the floor and try to attack the rim before Joel’s back so we gotta certainly be great in our transition defense, but there’s long segments of the game, too when he’s gonna walk it up and get the pieces exactly in place and they’re gonna give him space and he’s gonna go to work so it goes in almost two extremes and everywhere in between with him,” Nurse finished. “Listen, I’m not–controlling pace is not like–I just wanna make sure we’re back if it’s fast and I wanna make sure we’re making him work if it’s slow.”

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Who has a better case to make First Team All-NBA, Boston’s Jayson Tatum or New York’s Jalen Brunson?

This is not the Jayson vs. Jalen discourse we’re used to.

Who has a better case to make First Team All-NBA for the league’s 2023-24 regular season — the Boston Celtics‘ Jayson Tatum or New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson? In the national media, analysts seem split on which of these two superstar players ought to get the nod.

But there are plenty of good points raised by folks who have watched Boston closely this season, from JT’s defense to the odd tendency to punish him for having excellent teammates in a context that shouldn’t matter much. The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, are one such cadre of experts on the Celtics, and they recently shared their thoughts on who should make First Team on a recent episode of their show.

Check it out for yourself in the clip below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Jalen Brunson shares thoughts on Bulls after tough Knicks loss

Jalen Brunson praised the Chicago Bulls after the New York Knicks’ loss.

Both the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks are fighting for playoff positioning. In the case of the Bulls, that just means battling with the Atlanta Hawks for the ninth seed and home-court advantage in the 9-10 Play-In game. But for the Knicks, it means scrapping with four other teams for seeding in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

On Friday night, the two teams squared off, and the Bulls got the better of the Knicks. Chicago earned a wire-to-wire victory over New York thanks, in part, to a monster performance from Javonte Green, who just recently rejoined the Bulls. It was a tough loss for an injury-plagued Knicks team.

After the game, Jalen Brunson praised the Bulls for how they played in the win. (H/t ESPN)

“They played with more energy and more pace than we did,” Brunson said. “That’s two games in a row where we were down big early. We just can’t allow that to happen.”

Brunson ended the night with 35 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists.

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Jalen Brunson has high praise for Victor Wembanyama after Spurs win

After the San Antonio Spurs’ win over the New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson showed love to Victor Wembanyama.

The San Antonio Spurs took place in an overtime thriller against the New York Knicks on Friday night. Jalen Brunson poured in 61 points, leading the way for the Knicks, but it wasn’t enough to take down the greatness of Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, as San Antonio earned their third victory in a row.

Wembanyama ended the game with 40 points, 20 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block, completely dominating the game for the Spurs. There was nobody on the Knicks who could stop Wembanyama, despite the fact that both Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein were available and in the rotation. New York did their best, but it wasn’t enough.

After the game, Brunson had some extremely high praise for Wembanyama (H/t ESPN)

“He’s going to be one of the greatest players this game has seen,” Brunson said. “Just the way he’s built. What he’s been able to do so far. I have a lot of respect for him.”

Wembanyama is still a rookie, but he has a chance to develop into one of the game’s best players.

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Victor Wembanyama shamelessly chucked Jalen Brunson’s 61-point basketball into the crowd

That’s cold, Wemby.

It was an unreal night for both Jalen Brunson and Victor Wembanyama in the San Antonio Spurs’ amazing OT win over the New York Knicks on Friday.

But the basketball they used to do it? That now belongs to a fan.

Let’s start with Brunson — he went off for 61 points in the losing effort, which is just wild. Wemby, meanwhile, had a 40-point, 20-rebound, 7-assist game with a block and two steals, not to mention four threes. He’s the first rookie to go 4-20 since … Shaquille O’Neal in 1993!

And after the game was over, Wembanyama chucked the ball into the crowd and joked about it after, as you’ll see:

Mannnn. That’s cold.

The likeliest players to make their All-NBA debut this season

HoopsHype presents the most likely players to make their All-NBA debuts in the 2023-24 season, led by Anthony Edwards and Jalen Brunson.

Right now, there are 26 active NBA players who have been All-Stars in their careers but who have yet to make an All-NBA Team, which is arguably the league’s highest individual honor besides winning Most Valuable Player or Finals MVP.

That list features some huge names, including Zion Williamson, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo, Brandon Ingram and Jalen Brunson.

Several of those players stand a good chance of making their All-NBA debuts in the 2023-24 season. Today, let’s explore the most likely candidates to achieve this milestone.

Watch: Jonathan Kuminga hits ‘too small’ celebration after bucket over Jalen Brunson

Jonathan Kuminga broke out the “too small” celebration against Jalen Brunson and the Knicks.

While Steph Curry stole the show with eight made 3-pointers on the way to 31 points against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Jonathan Kuminga continued his impressive stretch of games with another solid performance on Thursday night.

Trailing only Curry, Kuminga notched 25 points on 12-of-19 shooting from the field with eight rebounds, two steals, two blocks and two assists in 30 minutes during Golden State’s 110-99 win in New York.

While Kuminga continues to compile highlight-reel dunks with his bounce and athleticism, the 21-year-old wing used his strength and size to get a tough bucket over All-Star guard Jalen Brunson on Thursday.

In the second quarter, Kuminga powered past Brunson for a bucket in the lane. Following his score, Kuminga broke out the “too small” celebration while jogging back down the court.

Via @NBCSWarriors on X:

Kuminga has registered back-to-back games with 21 or more points for the Warriors, scoring 21 against the Washington Wizards and 25 against the New York Knicks in two straight road games.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and X! 

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2024 NBA All-Star Weekend: The 5 best outfits from the festivities

Players came out to have fun and showcase their own unique style at the 73rd NBA All-Star Game.

The players came out to have fun and showcase their own unique style at the 73rd NBA All-Star Game. Athletes are starting to take advantage and recognize they can offer their fans more than just a one-dimensional version of themselves. They are so much more than athletes, with many of them taking an interest in fashion, charity and entrepreneurship.

All-Star games, game days and press events are all opportunities for fans and media alike to get to know these athletes on a deeper level. This year’s NBA All-Star Weekend did not disappoint, with players like Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat making a classic statement in his black suit with gold accents. And let’s not forget Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics in his hunter green jacket paired perfectly with his cream and rust knit sweater and classic black pants and boots and carrying a piece of Pyramide Bisten Damoflage hand luggage.

See the best looks from the 73rd NBA All-Star Game:

With second-half energy, Aaron Holiday rescues Rockets versus Knicks

“Jalen [Brunson] just ran into my chest, and they called a foul,” Aaron Holiday says of Monday’s frantic closing sequence for the Rockets.

HOUSTON — Most fans who showed up to Monday’s matchup at Toyota Center between the Rockets and New York Knicks came to see an undersized, overachieving point guard put on a show. They witnessed that, but not from the player they expected.

New York’s Jalen Brunson has received widespread accolades from NBA analysts, including some who believe he has a shot of winning MVP this season. As such, many of the 16,790 fans in attendance were there to see him put on a show.

Yet, what they got was a star performance from Rockets reserve guard Aaron Holiday, whose energy off the bench helped Houston outduel New York in a 105-103 win.

“It was good to have a spark come in and get out in transition and make big shots, but also what he does on the defensive side of the ball, as well,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said of Holiday’s night.

Houston needed everything Holiday provided after blowing a 57-43 halftime lead during the third quarter. Its offense became predictable and stalled, which allowed New York to get back into the game. It held the Rockets to 17 points in the frame.

Holding a 74-71 lead to begin the final period, Houston needed someone to help it regain control. That player was Holiday, who made a statement within 26 seconds.

Near half court, Holiday tipped a pass from rookie guard Amen Thompson to himself, gathered, and proceeded to drive the lane with force. Holiday went on to dunk over Bojan Bogdanovic and Josh Hart of the Knicks, with Brunson watching on the other end of the court.

After a play like that, the 6-foot-0 guard out of UCLA did what anyone of his stature would in that spot. He flexed for the crowd.

“I was just trying it to see what happens,” Holiday said postgame regarding his posterizing dunk.

That play seemed to get Holiday going while re-energizing the Rockets (24-29). In a span of just a few minutes, Holiday scored nine of Houston’s 11 points and assisted on the other two points, feeding teammate Jabari Smith Jr. for a dunk.

“That dunk was a big spark and energy boost,” Smith Jr. told Rockets Wire of Holiday, who scored 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter. “Just his energy alone … gives us all energy. He does that a lot off the bench, and we needed it tonight, and that was really good for us.”

Holiday’s fourth-quarter heroics were not done. In the closing stages, New York (33-21) climbed back into the game on the back of Brunson, who seemed to come to life in the second half after a disastrous first half (7 points).

With 8.3 seconds left, Brunson’s step-back jumper tied the game at 103. Houston called a timeout, looking to set up a play for either Alperen Sengun or Jalen Green to take the last shot to win the game.

As play resumed, Green was able to get the ball and drive to the basket before having his shot blocked by Precious Achiuwa. The deflection wound up in the hands of Holiday, who launched a desperation 3-point attempt over Brunson. After a controversial shooting foul call on the attempt, Holiday hit the first two free throws before intentionally missing the last one as time expired.

“I tried to get the ball and get a shot off,” Holiday said. “I saw him tip it, and it came close to me, so I just tried to get it and try and make a three. Jalen just ran into my chest, and they called a foul.”

After the game, crew chief Ed Malloy admitted the controversial foul called on Brunson was incorrect.

“After seeing it during the postgame review, the offensive player was able to return to a normal playing position on the floor,” Malloy said in a “pool report” interview with The Athletic. “Therefore, the contact which occurred after the ball’s release is incidental and marginal to the shot attempt and should not have been called.”

The incorrect call robbed the fans of seeing Holiday and Brunson continue to battle in an extra period. Still, the Rockets will gladly take the win to snap what had been a four-game losing streak.

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