Jalen Brunson Addresses Lasting Career Narrative

“I’m not a foul-baiter. I just play by the rules,” Brunson said. “Be disciplined on defense … Don’t reach. I don’t jump backwards (on jumpshots). Go look. Go watch the film. I jump straight up.”

“When I’m going, and the defender’s on the screen, you’re supposed to trail or try to get back in front,” Brunson continued. “If you’re running full speed, I’m going to shoot. I’m going to shoot, and if you foul me, you foul me. I’m not saying, ‘Oh, I need to get fouled,’ I’m seeing if there’s contact and I’m shooting the ball regardless. I’m going to score.”

Horton and Williams chided Brunson for his supposed propensity for jumping backward into defenders after they got past him, namely mentioning the six-game opening round against Philadelphia during the 2024 postseason. Brunson took 63 shots from the line in that set, 15 fewer than 76ers franchise face Joel Embiid.

To Brunson’s credit, he’s managing just fine without the benefit of free throws: among the top 10 scorers in the NBA entering Monday night, Brunson’s 6.8 attempts per game are second-fewest behind only Donovan Mitchell at 6.3. He certainly took care of his opportunities in his most recent metropolitan masterpiece, going a perfect 11-of-11 at the charity stripe amidst a season-best 47-point performance in Sunday’s win over Miami at home.

Brunson will have to be a little patient to keep defying the narrative, as he’ll sit out of the Knicks’ next game on Tuesday in Minnesota for ankle injury management. He’ll likely be back in time for the Knicks’ near-annual Christmas Day game on Thursday against Cleveland.