As the New York Knicks prepare for Saturday’s NBA Playoffs opener at Madison Square Garden against the Philadelphia 76ers, Jalen Brunson openly revisited a pivotal moment from last season’s playoffs: a costly turnover in Game 6 against Miami Heat.
“A lot more than you might think,” Brunson responded when asked how often he thought about the moment that occurred with less than 20 seconds remaining and the Knicks down two.
In a high-pressure situation, instead of attempting a tying or go-ahead shot, Brunson found himself trapped in a double team along the baseline. His attempt to pass to cutback Julius Randle was intercepted by Miami, sealing the Knicks’ fate and prematurely ending their season without advancing to a potential Game 7. Reflecting on that moment, Brunson expressed regret about him.
“We’re in a position where we could have forced Game 7, I made a terrible decision and I had to live with it all summer,” Brunson said. “When I train, I focus on whatever I’m doing at that moment, but that moment comes back to your mind. You see it everywhere on social media… it’s impossible not to see stuff like that.”