The Athletic: Mike Brown thanks assistant Rick Brunson for Game 1 help
NBA.com • • sports
Key Points:
- Mike Brown, now head coach of the New York Knicks, reflected on his emotional behavior during Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals, apologizing to officials for his outburst in the first half.
- Despite a rough start and frustrations over missed calls that led to injuries for Jalen Brunson, the Knicks rallied to win 105-95 against their opponent.
- Brown and the team were initially upset with the referees, but assistant coach Rick Brunson, Jalen’s father, intervened to calm everyone down and refocus their energy.
- The Knicks overcame a halftime deficit and a 14-point third-quarter hole with strong performances from Brunson and OG Anunoby in the fourth quarter.
- Brown credited his long coaching journey and recent experiences for helping him maintain perspective, though Game 1 tested his composure more than expected.