Jalen Brunson under fire from Stephen A. Smith
Game 3’s loss sparked criticism from Stephen A. Smith toward Jalen Brunson. The former Maverick found himself under scrutiny despite a 32-point performance in the NBA Finals
From the sky-high excitement following two wins in San Antonio, the New York Knicks have shifted to a near-tragic atmosphere among fans and media after their Game 3 loss in the NBA Finals.
Stephen A. Smith, a well-known Knicks supporter, unleashed a passionate rant on ESPN after the game, criticizing Jalen Brunson and accusing him of focusing more on personal numbers than on helping his team win.
I’m shocked that I have to say this because he’s a superstar, and we’re so grateful for everything he’s done for the New York Knicks organization. We know who Jalen Brunson is and what he represents. But tonight, it looked like he was playing to be Finals MVP rather than to win Game 3
Stephen A. Smith
According to Smith, Brunson should have involved his teammates more, particularly OG Anunoby, who scored 28 points while attempting just 13 shots.
The criticism directed at the Knicks’ leader is nevertheless highly debatable. Jalen Brunson actually delivered his best performance of the NBA Finals in terms of scoring and shooting efficiency, finishing with 32 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter alone, while shooting 11-for-25 from the field and 3-for-5 from beyond the arc.
Smith’s outburst reflects the current mood in New York, a city that has been waiting 53 years for an NBA championship and is beginning to fear an opponent comeback in a series that many fans believed was already under control.
The Knicks must now do a better job of handling the pressure heading into Game 4 of the NBA Finals, a matchup that could prove decisive for the outcome of the series. Should they lose again, the risk of letting a golden opportunity slip away – especially after winning the first two games on the road – would become increasingly real.