Jalen Brunson declined to comment Sunday on CJ McCollum’s accusation that he acted as if he were “at a Broadway show” after a brief injury scare in Game 1 at Madison Square Garden. McCollum was hit with a technical foul in the second quarter of the Knicks’ 113-102 victory over the Hawks on Saturday night, then drew more attention after the play than the scoreline itself.
McCollum was called for kicking Brunson in the midsection while taking a jump shot and was also whistled for a travel on the same sequence. Brunson stayed on the floor in pain for a few moments before getting back up, but he said after the game that he did not think the contact was purposeful.
The conversation did not end there. After Game 1, McCollum said Brunson “thought we were at a Broadway show” and added that Brunson “acted it out until they reviewed it,” calling it a normal jump shot and saying he looked forward to getting his $2,500 fine back. Asked after practice Sunday, Brunson kept it short: “I have no reaction” and “No comment.”
The exchange grew out of a single playoff possession, but it now hangs over a series that shifts to Game 2 on Monday at Madison Square Garden. Mike Brown said Sunday he had not even seen McCollum’s remarks, while OG Anunoby is listed as probable and Onyeka Okongwu is questionable for the Hawks.
For now, the only clear thing is that the play itself mattered less than the reaction to it. Brunson would not take the bait, McCollum made sure his side was heard, and the next time these teams meet, the basketball will have to compete with the memory of what happened in Game 1.
