Knicks’ Brunson Tells Teammates to Fix Slide in Players-Only Meeting
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New York Knicks captain Jalen Brunson convened a players-only meeting Monday night after the team’s 128-89 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks, multiple sources told ESPN.
According to the sources, Brunson emphasized that the Knicks’ recent struggles must be addressed internally rather than by relying on head coach Tom Thibodeau and his staff. The gathering followed New York’s ninth defeat in its past 11 contests.
The Knicks opened the season at 23-9 and captured the inaugural NBA Cup but have since fallen to 25-18. Their offense has sunk into the league’s bottom five during January.
Madison Square Garden fans booed loudly as the Mavericks carried a 75-45 lead into halftime. Speaking to reporters afterward, Brunson said, “As a team we know what we have to do. It’s either we do it, we care enough to do it, or we don’t.”
Forward Josh Hart echoed the sentiment, calling for “soul-searching” and labeling the team’s defensive performance “terrible all year.”
The Knicks continue their homestand Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets.
Source: ESPN.com
