Jalen Brunson hasnt hit his best level for Knicks in NBA Finals yet

What’s scary is that there is another level the Knicks can reach. Jalen Brunson in particular. He has been far from his best across the first two games of the Finals — he has shot just 19-for-56 from the field (33.9 percent) and 4-for-17 from 3-point range (23.5 percent).He’s committed a combined eight turnovers. In Friday’s 105-104 Game 2 win over the Spurs at Frost Bank Center, he missed three straight shots as the Spurs went on a 14-0 run to tie the game late in the fourth quarter.

The last one was a wide-open 3-pointer that he was unable to hit. He did, though, make a jumper to tie the game and hit a free throw — after stealing Victor Wembanyama’s pass — to give the Knicks their final lead. “We’re just trying to make it difficult on him,” De’Aaron Fox said.“I think we’ve done a good job both games.

He’s made big shots at the end of games.He’s a hell of a player.” “Even when you make it difficult on good players, they’re talented so they’re going to end up making shots.

He’s done that, especially at the end of the games.” The Spurs clearly made it a point to not let Brunson beat them Friday.They blitzed him every time someone set a screen for him.

They collapsed in the paint every time he got into the lane. And they were extremely physical — picking him up full court, bumping him off the ball and trying to get under his skin.Much of it was allowed by the referees. At one point in the fourth quarter, De’Aaron Fox basically shoved him, then tried to exchange a few words with Brunson, who simply stared him down.

Brunson’s father, assistant coach Rick, shouted a few words toward Fox. Brunson expects even more of that approach in Game 3 on Monday.  Sign up for Inside the Knicks by Stefan Bondy, a weekly exclusive on Sports+.Please provide a valid email.

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