Jalen Brunson has no problem with Chris Paul, even though he turned the 12-time All-Star’s hand away in a tense moment during Thursday’s loss to the Warriors.
Brunson was tackled on the ground floor late in the third quarter by Paul, who reached out to help the Knicks’ All-Star point guard.
Brunson rejected the move, but he offered an explanation Friday in a video interview with Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes.
defeat the Warriors. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
“Firstly, I have the greatest respect for Chris. I’ve known him since high school and he has a great relationship with my dad,” Brunson said, referring to Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson.
“It’s just love before the game. I said “Hello” to him before the match. I said “Hello” after the match. But during the match, I mean, if I get knocked down, I prefer my teammates to help me, whatever the situation.
“So when he came to pick me up, I was like, ‘No, I can’t right now.’ » And that’s all I said.
Paul, 38, left with his hands raised and Brunson was helped by teammate Bojan Bogdanovic. Brunson missed the Knicks’ previous game Tuesday against the Pelicans due to neck spasms.
The Knicks (35-25) will be in Cleveland on Sunday night to face the Cavaliers, who beat the Pistons with All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell sidelined Friday with left knee soreness.
Caris LeVert (elbow) was also out for the Cavaliers, who have won 21 of their last 26 games to improve to 39-20 overall. Mitchell and LeVert are listed as questionable against the Knicks.
