Jalen Brunson opened his postgame remarks by pausing to address Jayson Tatum’s injury, sending “thoughts and prayers” before discussing the Knicks’ 121–113 Game 4 win over Boston.
“I’m just praying for the best,” Brunson said, after Tatum went down late in the fourth quarter with an apparent right leg injury.
Brunson led all scorers with 39 points and 12 assists, but his focus postgame was on how New York responded after getting blown out in Game 3.
“It means a lot,” he said. “Just the way we responded is what I’m most proud of—sticking together and just making sure we’re not quitting.”
He credited Boston’s championship pedigree and emphasized the importance of keeping composure against experienced opponents.
“They’re the defending champs for a reason,” Brunson noted. “A lot of credit to what they do.”
When asked about the deflection that led to OG Anunoby’s breakaway dunk and Tatum’s injury, Brunson paused before offering a candid reaction.
“When a player of his caliber goes down and he’s rolling in pain like that, you know something’s wrong,” he said. “You never want to see something like that—ever.”
Brunson also praised Mitchell Robinson’s return to form, acknowledging the big man’s impact after missing significant time earlier this season.
“Just seeing how he was—being back, being healthy, being full off the court—was great to see,” Brunson said.
He credited Robinson’s work ethic and presence as key to the Knicks’ recent surge.
As the Knicks mounted a second-half comeback, Brunson scored 18 points in the third quarter to cut Boston’s lead.
Mikal Bridges highlighted Brunson’s mindset, saying, “He turns it up another level because he doesn’t want to lose.”
Brunson returned the praise after Bridges closed out the game with big plays in the fourth.
“I’ve seen how his work ethic has grown each year,” he said of Bridges. “It all pays off.”
Brunson also responded to questions about dealing with elite defenders throughout the season, including Jrue Holiday and Derrick White.
“The one thing I have to do is respect my opponent,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy.”
He emphasized that he always prepares for the challenge, regardless of who is guarding him.
Reflecting on the team’s mentality, Brunson said the win was not something to celebrate yet.
“There’s another game coming,” he said. “Whenever something is accomplished—I’m looking forward to the next.”
With the Knicks up 3–1, they are one win away from their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000.
Brunson stressed that the team’s growth is ongoing, calling for “a student mentality” as they prepare for Game 5 in Boston.
“I don’t even think we’re playing our best basketball yet,” he said.
