Jalen Brunson came home to Chicago and took over, scoring 38 points with seven assists as the New York Knicks rallied from 19 down in the second half to beat the Bulls 133-127 at the United Center on Wednesday night. Then he used his on-court interview for something bigger than basketball, as first reported by ClutchPoints.
“Just because we’re here, I just want to say R.I.P. to Stacey King, who we lost recently,” Brunson said. “I just wanted to say my thoughts and prayers for him and his family. We miss him.”
The IAHHM Take
This one runs deeper than a courtesy shoutout. Brunson starred at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, before Villanova, and King’s kids went to the same school. Brunson said King supported their team a lot back then. King, who died in June at 59, was a Bulls lifer: the No. 6 pick in 1989, part of the 1991-93 three-peat, and a voice on Bulls broadcasts since 2006.
That’s what you want from your stars. Win the game, then remember the people who poured into you before the lights got bright. Chicago fans noticed, too. Barstool Chicago posted, “Nothing but respect for Stevenson grad Jalen Brunson.”
On the court, this was the kind of grind the Knicks needed. OG Anunoby added 23, Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 and 13, Jordan Clarkson scored 18, and Brunson and Anunoby closed it at the line after Chicago cut it to three in the final minute. Norman Powell had 30 for the Bulls. After an 0-3 start, New York has now won two straight.
The Bulls are honoring King all season with patches on their jerseys and a Stacey King Celebration Night set for Feb. 4 against OKC.
Brunson’s built a whole career on clutch buckets. Moments like this are why people root for him off the court too. What’s the classiest postgame moment you’ve seen from an NBA star?
More hoops: Gilbert Arenas sounds off on the 0-4 Heat.
Source: ClutchPoints
