Jalen Brunson was injured in the first half of Game 2 of the postseason series between Brunson’s New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. And according to Kendrick Perkins, TNT’s broadcast was focused too much on reliving a three-decade-old rivalry and not enough on Brunson.
TNT’s normal broadcast team of Brian Anderson and Stan Van Gundy added a third member in Game 2 Reggie Miller. Miller, of course, is a Pacers legend and became a fierce rival of the Knicks and their fans as Indiana and New York had six postseason meetings in eight seasons between 1993-2000. Naturally, Miller’s return to New York got a lot of attention before the game.
But once the game got going, the attention stayed on Miller too much for Perkins’ liking. This was particularly relevant as, after Brunson originally left the game, it took a long time for any update to come. Perkins took to social media to vent.
“Are we going to make this entire game about Reggie Miller? Or can I know if Big Body Brunson is going to return or not. Jesus Christ,” he said.
Are we going to make this entire game about Reggie Miller? Or can I know if Big Body Brunson is going to return or not. Jesus Christ
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 9, 2024
Perkins was not the only one to feel this way. FS1’s Nick Wright expressed a similar sentiment. “Maybe a little less Reggie/highlights from decades ago and a little more details on where/how/when Brunson could have hurt his foot??? How is this not the entire broadcast right now???” Wright asked.
Maybe a little less Reggie/highlights from decades ago and a little more details on where/how/when Brunson could have hurt his foot???
How is this not the entire broadcast right now???
— nick wright (@getnickwright) May 9, 2024
Chris Haynes eventually did give an update. Late in the second quarter, Haynes reported that Brunson had “A sore right foot and is questionable to return.”
Per @ChrisBHaynes, Knicks star Jalen Brunson is dealing with a sore right foot and is questionable to return.
“That changes things for Tom Thibodeau maybe more than any player changes things for a head coach in these playoffs right now.”
— Brian Anderson. pic.twitter.com/6HZvpPhdkP
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 9, 2024
Brunson did return after halftime and helped lead the Knicks to a dominant quarter, which saw them outscore the Pacers 36-18.
[Photo Credit: ESPN]
