Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks have not performed their best over the past 10 games. On Monday, the Knicks had a 114-97 loss at Madison Square Garden against the Dallas Mavericks. There were seven players listed as out for the game, which included Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford. Their most recent loss sparked a four-game losing streak.
Since the start of 2026, the Knicks have struggled to win games. While injuries have played a part, it’s undeniable that New York can’t figure things out even with a healthy group. Against the Mavericks, the stars were healthy, but that wasn’t enough for them to win.
Fans haven’t been satisfied and have even booed the team during the game.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Brunson held a players-only meeting following the loss to address the team’s recent rough stretch.
“Jalen Brunson called a players only meeting,” Shelburne said. “He said, ‘Guys, we gotta stop looking to the coaching staff for answers, we gotta stop looking elsewhere the answers to what is wrong with us right now are right in this locker room. We gotta look in the mirror.’”
Are tensions rising for the New York Knicks? 🤔 @ramonashelburne gives us an inside look on what happened after their loss against the Mavericks 👀 pic.twitter.com/1MDEIk0pwG
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 20, 2026
Shelburne added that Jalen Brunson’s players-only meeting went longer, and other players had things to say about their difficulties.
Jalen Brunson reacts to the boos from the fans
It was a tough night for Knicks fans to see their healthy team get blownout by a short-handed Mavericks squad. During the game, fans expressed their disappointment and booed the team. Jalen Brunson, who had 22 points on 37.5% shooting, understands the reception from the fans.
“I’d be booing us too,” Brunson said. “Straight up.”
Brunson’s co-star, Karl-Anthony Towns, shared the same sentiment. Towns said that the fans have the right to boo the team for underperforming. The next game for the Knicks will be on Wednesday, against the Brooklyn Nets.
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