Paul George tips his hat to Knicks’ Jalen Brunson after huge Game 3 vs. 76ers

The New York Knicks are suddenly one win away from ending this first-round series. Under the bright lights at Wells Fargo Center, the Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-94 in Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs. The loss pushed Philadelphia into a crushing 3-0 hole. Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson continued to look unstoppable. Brunson finished with 33 points, five rebounds, and nine assists. He dictated the pace from the opening quarter. Every time the 76ers tried to fight back, he answered calmly, something Paul George openly admitted after the game.

"We got to tip our hat to JB. He's making some big shots. He's getting to his spots. But it's been someone else that's played big and stepped up – whether it's Mikal, whether it's OG, Karl, Josh – they've all had moments. Shamet off the bench tonight"

Paul George talks about the… pic.twitter.com/tFiG1qnrvF

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After the loss, George admitted the Knicks offense kept wearing Philadelphia down possession after possession. The veteran forward still defended the team’s effort on defense, but he acknowledged how difficult Brunson has become to contain in this series.

“Yeah, I mean, I think our defense have been good for the most part,” George said in a postgame interview video shared by SNY TV. “I mean, we’ve got to tip our hat to JB. He’s making some big shots. He’s getting to his spots.”

The arena grew tense every time Philadelphia cut into the lead. Then the Knicks would respond again. Another Brunson drive, another timely jumper, and another silence falling over the crowd.

Knicks supporting cast keeps punishing 76ers

Paul George also pointed toward the players around Brunson who continue to make Philadelphia pay. The Knicks have not relied on one scorer alone. That balance has made the series even more frustrating for the 76ers.

“But, you know, it’s been someone else that’s played big and stepped up,” George said. “Whether it’s Mikel, whether it’s O.G., you know, Carl, like, Jodd. Like, they’ve all had moments.”

George later explained how exhausting those Knicks possessions feel defensively.

“Especially when our goal is to get the ball out of JB’s hands and make someone else make a play, and they’re making those plays,” George said. “So those plays are draining, and it’s frustrating from a defense standpoint.”

Now the pressure shifts fully onto Philadelphia heading into Game 4. Can the 76ers stop Jalen Brunson and the Knicks before this NBA Playoffs series slips away completely?

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