A couple of days after the New York Knicks picked up a 101-97 win over the Cavaliers in Game 1 in Cleveland, Isaac Okoro complained about Jalen Brunson’s “antics.” He said that in Game 2, the Cavaliers would look to keep Brunson off the free throw line and that he would talk to the referees to let them know about the point guard’s apparent antics.
In true Knicks Twitter fashion, Okoro got roasted for his comments. Brunson shot 4-of-4 from the line in Game 1, as did Okoro. It seemed as if there were some lingering frustrations about the clutch shots that Brunson knocked down to help New York close the game on Saturday.
Ahead of Game 2, Tom Thibodeau was asked about Okoro’s bizarre comments. In typical Thibs style, he kept it short and sweet.
Tom Thibodeau on Isaac Okoro's comments on Jalen Brunson's "antics."
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) April 18, 2023
"He didn't get to the line very much, and from my perspective, there was a lot of fouling going on. Let the officials do their job." #knicks
Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau responds to Isaac Okoro’s comments about Jalen Brunson
Numbers don’t lie, right? Maybe Isaac Okoro should’ve double-checked the stat sheet before taking a shot at Jalen Brunson. Okoro’s teammate Donovan Mitchell actually went to the free throw line more than any player, shooting 4-for-6.
Knicks fans were hoping that Okoro’s comments would come back and bite him and that happened in Game 2. He picked up his second foul less than three minutes into the first quarter and went to the bench. Having to pull one of the best defenders early in the game certainly isn’t what the Cavaliers were hoping for.
As for Tom Thibodeau, it’s hilarious that he said that the officials should be left to do their job. How many times have fans witnessed Thibs screaming from the sideline at the officials?
Remember this from a few months ago?
Ref had enough of Tom Thibodeau 🤣pic.twitter.com/UVEW6T8FIs
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 15, 2022
That’s a classic.
The thing about Okoro’s complaint was that there was nothing to back it up. Jalen Brunson’s play down the stretch helped to give the Knicks the win. Okoro couldn’t stop him. That’s all.
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