'Got to Be Better': Jalen Brunson Takes Blame as Knicks Fall to Celtics Again

Jalen Brunson scored a game-best 34 points, but he feels he can be better after the New York Knicks' latest loss to the Boston Celtics.

Jeremy Brener | Feb 25, 2024

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New York Knicks

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.

Jalen Brunson Derrick White Celtics — 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.

Celtic Bide: New-Look Knicks Can't Solve Boston

The Knicks are back in action on Monday at home against the Detroit Pistons (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).

Published Feb 25, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.