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Jalen Brunson Holds Back to Avoid Live TV Disagreement With Charles Barkley

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated May 26, 2025 6:02 AM ET

Charles Barkley did not hold back in criticizing New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau ahead of Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night.

The Hall of Famer called out Thibodeau's decision to start Mitchell Robinson over Josh Hart, with Barkley arguing that the move did not make any sense.

In the end, however, the Knicks were able to score their first win of the series with a hard-fought 106-100 win in Game 3.

The "Inside the NBA" crew got the chance to speak to Brunson shortly after the final buzzer, and Barkley just had to ask the Knicks star about his coach.

"Jalen, what the hell is up with Thibs, man?" Barkley asked. "Y'all bench technically won this game for y'all tonight.

"Does he ever explain to you all, like, 'I'm gonna play guys, I'm not gonna play guys?' Because you got to admit, it's kind of damn wacky."

Barkley's strong statement caught Brunson a bit off guard. Just as he was about to clap back at Barkley, the Knicks star decided to pull back and hold his tongue.

"Ooh, I had a great comeback, but let me stop," Brunson responded.

"I had a great comeback but let me stop."

Brunson was about to clap back at Chuck pic.twitter.com/GlHgJAIuHG
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 26, 2025

Everyone had a good laugh after Brunson's reaction, with Ernie Johnson even encouraging the two-time All-Star not to hold back.

Brunson, who finished the game with 23 points, two rebounds and one assist, chose the high road, though, as he made his opinion of Coach Thibodeau clear.

"No, I mean, I got the utmost faith and confidence, man," he continued. "Regardless of what people say on the outside, respectfully, whatever you guys do say, I mean, we're a close-knit group in that locker room."

Whatever the case might be, the fact of the matter is that it's the Knicks who emerged with a victory on Sunday night. They've got one back after losing both games at home, but are still facing a 2-1 deficit heading into Game 4 on Tuesday.

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

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