Several New York Knicks supporters were critical of head coach Mike Brown’s decision-making late in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Many pointed to a stretch to start the fourth quarter as a critical juncture that allowed the San Antonio Spurs to gain momentum in front of a raucous crowd. Knicks star Jalen Brunson picked up his fourth foul with 4:29 left in the third, prompting Brown to take him out of the contest at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, N.Y.
The Knicks’ bench lineup held things down for a few minutes. New York trailed San Antonio 80-78 when Brunson checked out, and entered the fourth behind 92-91. But the Knicks’ offense sputtered to start the final period, missing four shots and committing a turnover in their first five possessions before Brunson reentered with 9:18 left.
The Spurs built a seven-point lead and held it up until the final buzzer sounded. Fans and media members alike blamed Brown’s decision to keep Brunson on the bench for too long as a big reason San Antonio was able to rally for a 115-111 Game 3 win.
Mike Brown waiting too long to bring in Brunson and Hart. Offense is stalled.
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) June 9, 2026
Mike Brown is sticking with the bench too long
— Knicks Memes (@KnicksMemes) June 9, 2026
So how long is Mike Brown gonna keep Brunson out?
— Quin (@Quinthox) June 9, 2026
I don't want to second guess Mike Brown too much. The last time I did that he won 13 in a row. But it felt to me like the game swung when he took Jalen Brunson out with foul trouble with 4.5 minutes to go in the third. Needed to dominate those Kornet minutes, couldn't without JB.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) June 9, 2026
Brunson sat for over seven minutes of game action, including the ending stretch of the third, when Luke Kornet was in for Victor Wembanyama.
Brown wanted to protect his star player from foul trouble and was likely going off the Knicks’ successful finish to the third quarter in Game 2, when a lineup buoyed by Mikal Bridges bought time for Brunson to rest. There was no repeat of that in Game 3.
Bridges, who had 20 points in Game 2, did not score his first basket until the final seconds of the third quarter. He finished with just two points on 1/5 shooting.
