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Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson Called Out During Knicks-Pacers Game 6

With the Knicks facing a margin of error of zero after having fallen behind, 3-1, in their Eastern Conference finals series against the Pacers, it was expected that the New Yorkers would show up with a certain level of both desperation and attention to detail, enough to push the team to a Game 6 win on the road to keep their season alive.

And no doubt, the onus fell on the Knicks' top two stars, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, to lead the way in that regard. Brunson, in fact, had defended Towns coming into the game, striking down the tales of his lack of work ethic that had emanated out of Minnesota before he was traded to New York.

“I mean, there are narratives with traded players on other teams,” Brunson said Saturday. “And when you get to the team, it’s, ‘Oh, that guy is not really like that.’ It’s just, that’s how narratives work. They’re usually probably false. I have the utmost respect for him and the way he’s been able to play throughout this entire season and playoffs.

"We’re all banged up, but we’re all gonna push through. I had faith that he was gonna play last game.”

But the faith was running short in Game 6, not just with Towns but with Brunson, too. Towns started the game with eight points on 3-for-10 shooting in the first half, while Brunson was 4-for-10 with 10 points and three turnovers. The Knicks fell behind by double digits early in the third quarter, and fans had Towns and Brunson in their sights.

One fan wrote, "One of the worst halves a basketball I’ve ever seen from Brunson and Towns."

Another added: "Brunson and Towns need to step it up in the second half. Down 4 at the half isn't bad. Just take care of the ball play physical on both ends. Slow the game down and Knicks can def win this game."

And more: "Brunson and towns literally are playing for the pacers. Brunson has to have like 7 turnovers in half."

And: "Brunson and Towns would be the best duo in the league if they weren't unbelievably stupid."

Brunson and Towns were, in fact, trending on X because fans were so often mentioning their shortcomings. If the Knicks can't turn things around, though, there won't be much left to complain about.

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