Jalen Brunson and De’Aaron Fox Had to Be Separated After Tense 4th-Quarter Moment

Jalen Brunson and De’Aaron Fox (Photo by Imagn Images)

Jalen Brunson and De’Aaron Fox Had to Be Separated After Tense 4th-Quarter Moment

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Tanishq Sharma | Last updated Jun 6, 2026 2:33 AM ET

After the New York Knicks dominated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1, many expected the latter to bounce back and level the series. However, the Knicks managed to hold the Spurs and took a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals after winning 105-104. But one intense moment between Jalen Brunson and De’Aaron Fox stole the spotlight and became one of the biggest talking points from Game 2.

The Spurs again opened the game on a high note, ending the first quarter with a nine-point lead. But the Knicks responded quickly and ended the first half with a four-point lead. New York extended their lead to nine points before the start of the 4th quarter.

Early in the final quarter of Game 2, Spurs star guard De’Aaron Fox was called for a foul on Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson for excessive contact. This led to the two guards standing face-to-face, staring at each other. Their teammates and referees had to step in to separate Fox and Brunson. The cameras also captured Keldon Johnson’s hilarious reaction during the intense moment.

JALEN BRUNSON AND DE’AARON FOX FACE TO FACE HERE WE GO. pic.twitter.com/9n4n4d6kjN
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 6, 2026

The incident occurred when the Knicks led the Spurs 87-80. During their intense standoff, Brunson’s teammate Mikal Bridges tried to separate them, and the two exchanged shoves before other teammates intervened. Apart from that, Brunson’s father also had some words for Fox after the intense moment.

Jalen Brunson’s Father, Rick Brunson, Goes Viral for What He Told De’Aaron Fox

After Jalen Brunson’s heated exchange with a Spurs fan in Game 1, he had another intense moment on Friday. While the intense moment between Brunson and Fox was short-lived, the Knicks guard’s father, Rick Brunson, didn’t hold back. The New York Knicks assistant coach was spotted yelling at Fox from the sidelines during the heated exchange.

“You ain’t tough… don’t do that,” Rick Brunson told Fox as the Spurs guard also exchanged words with him.

Rick Brunson to De’Aaron Fox after he went face-to-face with Jalen Brunson

“You ain’t tough… don’t do that”

(h/t @SMHighlights1) pic.twitter.com/PHCvXmGIWP
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) June 6, 2026

In the final minutes of the game, the Spurs rallied, but New York somehow held its nerve and clinched the victory. The Knicks managed a 2-0 lead in the 2026 NBA Finals before the series headed to Madison Square Garden for Games 3 and 4.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: