Right at the start of the third, McCollum’s jump shot contact sent Brunson reeling when his leg kicked out toward Brunson’s groin area. Officials reviewed the play for a hostile act, and McCollum was assessed a technical foul as the stoppage moment became a focal point of the game.
Brunson showed remarkable resilience, delivering a historic opening quarter with 19 points—the most by a Knicks player in a single playoff quarter in the play-by-play era—before finishing with 28 points and seven assists despite the pain from the earlier contact.
McCollum later spoke after the game, offering a sharp retort to the moment, saying Brunson acted as if they were at a Broadway show and referring to the incident as nothing more than a normal jump shot. He also quipped about wanting his money back from the $2,500 fine or bet tied to the event.
With Game 2 set for Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks hold a 1-0 series lead and will look to maintain momentum, while expectant scrutiny will surround any subsequent Brunson-Joins-at-the-hip moments between Brunson and McCollum on the court.
Overall, the night underscored the intensity of the series: Brunson’s efficient scoring and clutch leadership helped New York seize control, even as the incident between Brunson and McCollum became a major talking point heading into the next game.
