Paul George, Sixers talk Jalen Brunson ahead of Game 2 vs. Knicks
Paul George and the Philadelphia 76ers discuss Jalen Brunson ahead of Game 2 against the New York Knicks on Wednesday.
NEW YORK -- The Philadelphia 76ers will need to find a way to slow down Jalen Brunson as they continue with this Round 2 series with the New York Knicks . The Sixers fell to the Knicks 137-98 in Game 1 on Monday, and Brunson was a big reason why New York had so much success. The star guard out of Villanova was terrific in Game 1 as he went for 35 points on a super-efficient 12-for-18 from the floor, 3-for-6 from deep, and 8-for-8 from the foul line.
He also had two steals as he was able to do it all for the Knicks to make things happen against the Sixers to open the East semifinals. It didn't matter who the Sixers decided to throw onto Brunson whether it was Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr. , or whoever.
Brunson had his way in Game 1. "I mean, you just got to toe the line of being aggressive, keeping him in front and being physical without fouling," said George. "I think it's tricky with how he can draw fouls, but we just got to be smart with how we challenge him defensively.
" Obviously, George, Oubre, VJ Edgecombe, and others are coming off a series where they had to battle Boston Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Those two are completely different players and matchups compared to Brunson and the Sixers will have to adjust as this series continues. If one asks Oubre, it's the fact that Brunson has a unique physical attribute that he uses to his abdvantage.