Jalen Brunson I wasn’t looking to make excuses after Friday’s 111-106 loss in Game 3 to the Pacers.
The Knicks point guard, who was questioned to play due to a foot injury in Game 2, was involved in the final plays on both ends of the floor that sealed Indiana’s victory over New York.
Brunson was guarding Andrew Nembhardwho made a 31-foot three-pointer as the shot clock expired with 17 seconds left in the game, giving Indiana a 109-106 lead.
“Could have closed better,” Brunson said. “He was so far away, he swung the ball a little bit and the ball went in.
On the ensuing possession, Brunson missed a pull-up three-point jumper and appeared to be looking for a foul he didn’t receive, but admitted it wasn’t the shot he wanted.
“It was a terrible decision,” Brunson said. “Something I need to learn. …I knew what time it was. I knew everything that was happening. I just made a terrible decision.
Although Brunson seemed to want the final plays of the game back, he was quite impactful for the Knicks despite the uncertainty of his status due to his right foot injury.
The All-Star finished with 26 points in 38 minutes of play, although he was briefly benched after starting the game 0-3 and limping through the first quarter.
But Brunson insisted the foot didn’t harm him at all.
“If I’m there, I’m playing,” Brunson said. “There is no excuse, whether I am suffering or not. If I’m hurting, I’ll get out.”
