Jalen Brunson and the Knicks took the high road and opted against adding more fuel to the fire.
Given a chance to react to CJ McCollum’s accusation that Brunson faked an injury in order to get him a technical foul, Brunson was tight-lipped.
“I have no reaction,” Brunson said after practice Sunday. “No comment.”
During the second quarter of the Knicks’ 113-102 Game 1 win over the Hawks on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, McCollum received a technical for kicking Brunson in the midsection while taking a jump shot. (He was also called for a travel on the play.) Brunson stayed down on the ground in pain for a few moments before getting back to his feet.
McCollum believed Brunson milked it.
“I shot a jumper and Jalen thought we were at a Broadway show,” McCollum said after the game. “He acted it out until they reviewed it. It’s a normal jump shot. Nothing there. Unnecessary and I look forward to getting my $2,500 [fine] back.”
Brunson after the game said he didn’t think it was purposeful. On Sunday, coach Mike Brown said he didn’t even see McCollum’s comments.
“A lot of guys are gonna say a lot of things throughout the course of the playoffs,” Brown said. “So whatever people want to say, that’s up to them. But I didn’t see it.”
OG Anunoby (left ankle sprain) is listed as probable for Game 2 on Monday at MSG. He briefly exited after rolling his left ankle in Game 1 — the same one that forced him to exit the penultimate regular-season game.
He practiced Sunday, Brown said.
Onyeka Okongwu (right knee inflammation) is questionable for the Hawks.
Brunson will not repeat as the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year. He was not named one of the three finalists Sunday.
Anunoby was not one of the three finalists for Defensive Player of the Year. Earlier this month, he shared his belief that he should win it, a rare bit of expression from the normally quiet Anunoby.