'Got to Be Better': Jalen Brunson Takes Blame as Knicks Fall to Celtics Again
If the New York Knicks were in the business of making excuses, they would have plenty available after a 116-102 loss to the Boston Celtics on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
Not only were they playing the NBA's best team, but the Celtics were at full strength while the Knicks were far from it. While New York (34-23) had rivalry newcomers like Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks available, OG Anunoby (elbow) and Julius Randle (shoulder) could only watch as the Knicks dropped their sixth in the past eight.
Jalen Brunson, the undisputed star of the Knicks' Saturday effort, eliminated the idea of accepting excuses in the aftermath.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
“I've got to be better, plain and simple," Brunson said via Tommy Beer. "From a vocal leader standpoint to not turning the ball over, to being a better decision-maker, (got to be better)."
Brunson fell just short of a double-double on Saturday, pairing 34 points with nine assists. The Knicks have often seen Brunson take over games all season long, with or without Randle and Anunoby, but the All-Star point guard will always look to how he can be better for his team. Brunson scored 13 in the first period alone but Boston built a permanent lead while he was on the bench to start the second. The rest of the team would be wise to follow Brunson's example, no matter how long they're forced to be without his fellow starters.
The Knicks are back in action on Monday at home against the Detroit Pistons (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).
