ANNOUNCEMENTS:  After the Knicks lose Game 4 to the Pacers, Jalen Brunson criticizes himself and….

In the aftermath of a crushing Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson didn’t shy away from accountability. Following the 112–103 defeat that tied the series at 2-2, Brunson stepped up to the postgame podium not to make excuses, but to shoulder the blame.

“I wasn’t good enough tonight. That’s on me,” Brunson said bluntly, his voice carrying the weight of disappointment. “If I want to be the leader of this team, I have to set the tone—and I didn’t.”

The Knicks struggled to find offensive rhythm for much of the game, with Brunson finishing with 21 points on 7-of-21 shooting, well below the red-hot performances that carried New York through the first round and early part of the series. The Pacers, meanwhile, rode a balanced attack and relentless pace to take control in the second half.

“I let the game get away from me in the third quarter,” Brunson added. “The team feeds off my energy, my decision-making. I didn’t give them enough of either.”

Brunson’s criticism of himself wasn’t just about stats—it was about leadership. After emerging as the emotional and tactical engine of the Knicks during the 2024–2025 season, he’s widely seen as the franchise’s cornerstone. His rare off-night, combined with Indiana’s inspired play, proved too much for the Knicks to overcome.

Still, Brunson made it clear he’s not dwelling on the loss.

“We’re going back to New York. The Garden’s going to be loud. We’re not done,” he said with conviction. “We’ll make the adjustments, I’ll be better, and we’ll come out swinging.”

Head coach Tom Thibodeau echoed Brunson’s sentiments, praising his point guard’s accountability. “That’s what leaders do,” Thibodeau said. “Jalen puts the team first. We win as a team, and we lose as a team. He’ll respond—we all will.”

Game 5 tips off at Madison Square Garden in two days, with the series now a best-of-three. The Knicks will need every ounce of Brunson’s competitive fire if they hope to regain control and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

For now, Brunson’s message is simple: Own it. Fix it. Lead forward.