![\"Jalen](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2270224620-e1776611072974.jpg\")
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CJ McCollum is not a fan of Jalen Brunson’s actions during the Hawks-Knicks playoff series. <\/p>\n
Things turned physical in Game 1 of the New York Knicks<\/a>\u2018 playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, and fans can expect even more battles in Game 2. Hawks guard CJ McCollum took exception to Jalen Brunson\u2019s actions during one of the second half plays that was reviewed. <\/p>\n Replays showed McCollum\u2019s leg connected with Brunson in an unfortunate area. Referees reviewed the play and hit McCollum with a technical foul. McCollum expects to have his fine rescinded by the NBA<\/a> and called out Brunson during his postgame media remarks. <\/p>\n \u201cI shot a jumper, and Jalen thought we were at a Broadway show,\u201d McCollum told reporters<\/a> on April 18, 2026. \u201cHe acted it out until they reviewed it, and it\u2019s a normal jump shot, nothing there, unnecessary. I look forward to getting my $2,500 back.\u201d<\/p>\n Brunson\u2019s style of play has become polarizing for NBA fans with some accusing the star of baiting players into fouls. Others credit Brunson for being crafty and taking advantage of defender\u2019s aggressiveness. <\/p>\n Brunson averaged 5.7 free throws<\/a> per game during the 2025-26 regular season, which ranks No. 21 among NBA players. <\/p>\n Jalen Brunson on Constant NBA Accusations: \u2018I\u2019m Not a Foul Baiter\u2019<\/p>\n The Knicks guard has heard all the accusations and has a simple response: \u201cdon\u2019t reach.\u201d Back in December 2025, Brunson reacted to the accusations of foul baiting.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not a foul baiter,\u201d Brunson remarked at the time, per Yahoo Sports<\/a>. \u201cI just play by the rules. Be discipline on defense. Don\u2019t reach\u2026 go watch the film.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hawks Need a Better Plan to Slow Down Knicks Star Jalen Brunson<\/p>\n Brunson looked like the best player on the court during Game 1, posting 28 points, seven assists and five rebounds while attempting eight free throws. McCollum attempted to help the Hawks keep pace with the Knicks, but Atlanta ran out of firepower in the second half. <\/p>\n The Hawks guard notched 26 points and three rebounds in a losing effort. McCollum believes the team needs to find a way to make things more difficult on Brunson in Game 2. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just about getting stops,\u201d McCollum explained. \u201cWhen we get stops, we\u2019re very hard to guard. We can get on the run in transition,. We can get threes. We can get layups, dunks, the ball moves a little bit better.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, we do a better job defensively, we get up 112, a lot of free throws. Bronson had 19 in the first quarter, so there\u2019s things that we can tighten up collectively. But I think it just starts with us being better defensively for longer periods of time, and that\u2019ll help our offense, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tJonathan Adams<\/a> is a veteran sports contributor covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been prominently featured on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Knicks\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Getty CJ McCollum is not a fan of Jalen Brunson’s actions during the Hawks-Knicks playoff series. 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