Friends poke fun at each other all the time.
That was no different on Monday morning when the ‘Nova Knicks took to the table on “Today.”
Jalen Brunson could not help himself when asked why Madison Square Garden is a great venue for a wedding — celebrity fan Taylor Swift is reported to be having her nuptials there this summer — he had to throw a verbal jab at teammate Josh Hart about his moment to forget in Game 4.
“A lot of great things happen there. When we’re down one, and you miss wide-open layups.” Brunson said while hugging Hart.
Hart had a retort at the ready.
“For me, I just wanted to set up an epic last possession. We wouldn’t have that OG tip-in without that missed layup,” Hart said. “I was willing to sacrifice that layup so OG could get the tip-in. I was trying to be a good teammate.”
Hart’s missed layup threatened the Knicks’ historic 29-point comeback win with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter.
But after two uncharacteristic missed free throws by Victor Wembanyama and a basket by Brunson, it set up the infamous OG Anunoby tip-in that sealed Game 4.
That historic comeback shifted the momentum of the series, leading to the Knicks’ Game 5 win, clinching the series, and their first championship since 1973.
Brunson had one of his best games of the playoffs, scoring 45 points in yet another late rally.
It is another trophy that the ‘Nova Knicks — Brunson, Hart and Mikal Bridges — can add to their collection after winning the national championship in 2016 with Villanova.
All three will return next season with back-to-back championships in mind.
But first, the Knicks take to the road on Thursday for a parade and a trip down the Canyon of Heroes.