© Geoff Burke/Imagn
New York Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson isn’t being treated fairly by NBA referees. At least, that’s what Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau claimed after New York’s 100-94 loss to the Detroit Pistons in Game 2 of their opening-round playoff series in the Eastern Conference. Brunson scored a game-high 37 points and shot 11 free throws in the game but the Knicks shot just 19 free throws as a team compared to Detroit’s 34.
“I don’t understand how on one side you talk about direct line drives. The guy is getting fouled and it’s not being called,” Thibodeau said. “And look, I don’t really give a crap how they call the game, as long as it’s consistent on both sides. So, if Cunningham is driving and there is marginal contact and he is getting to the line, then Jalen deserves to be getting to the line. It’s really that simple.”
The irony here is obvious. Brunson shot 6.9 free throws per game in the regular season, which ranked fifth in the NBA. Through two playoff games, he ranks second behind only Giannis Antetokounmpo with 10.5 free throws per game. Brunson is also considered perhaps the best in the league at seeking out contact in otherwise unnatural ways.
This foul baiting my Jalen Brunson is what’s wrong with the league. 💩 pic.twitter.com/sBiFkfMo5t
— 𝑺𝑷𝑶𝑹𝑻𝑺 𝑭𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻𝑺 (@TheSportsBrawls) April 22, 2025
NBA Fans Call Out Tom Thibodeau Over Ridiculous Jalen Brunson Take
To his credit, Brunson shrugged off the idea that New York lost Game 2 due to how it was officiated.
“Regardless if fouls are being called or not called, we’ve got to adjust, and I feel like we did that a little too late into the game,” he said. “And so regardless of how it’s reffed, we’ve got to adjust and we’ve got to adapt to that and go on from there.”
But fans still piled on Thibodeau for his take.
“One of these guys goes towards the hoop looking to score while the other stops to jump into players. Give me a break,” one fan wrote.
“Breaking: 6’7 PG actually gets fouled on his drives more than the 6’2 player exaggerating the slightest contact,” said another.
Thibodeau, Brunson and the Knicks now head to Detroit on Thursday for Game 3 hoping to take back home-court advantage.