Fresh off his heroic 38-point performance in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, Jalen Brunson had a forgettable first half in Thursday’s Game 2 home clash against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The New York Knicks star also faced backlash for what many considered blatant flopping and foul-baiting, garnering comparisons to Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Jalen Brunson Draws Pushback for Foul-Baiting vs. Cavaliers
Gilgeous-Alexander has become the poster boy for unethical play accusations, with the reigning back-to-back MVP being singled out nearly every game. However, Brunson has quietly been dealing with similar criticism, with frustrations reaching a tipping point late in the first half of Game 2.
Cavaliers wing Max Strus drove at Brunson and made marginal contact with the three-time All-Star. Still, Brunson went tumbling to the ground with his arms flailing, resulting in Strus being called for an offensive foul and his basket getting waved off with Cleveland trailing 45-40 with 3:14 remaining in the second quarter.
Brunson then headed down the floor and promptly leaned into Cavaliers star James Harden on a 3-point attempt in an effort to draw a foul, with the sequence going viral on X.
“Jalen Brunson is SHAMELESS 😭😭😭. Flopping is RUINING the NBA 💀,” Los Angeles Lakers fan account LakeShowYo vented.
Jalen Brunson is SHAMELESS 😭😭😭
Flopping is RUINING the NBA 💀 pic.twitter.com/ip8aT5wxMi
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 22, 2026
“JALEN BRUNSON IS GENUINELY A WORSE FLOPPER THAN SHAI BRO,” parody account @HoodiGarland asserted.
JALEN BRUNSON IS GENUINELY A WORSE FLOPPER THAN SHAI BRO
— ¹⁰ (@HoodiGarland) May 22, 2026
“Jalen Brunson with a NASTY flop on one end and then IMMEDIATELY came down the court and foul-baited on the other lmaoo. This a generational talent 😭💀,” Hater Report quipped.
Jalen Brunson with a NASTY flop on one end and then IMMEDIATELY came down the court and foul baited on the other lmaoo
This a generational talent 😭💀 pic.twitter.com/8yK9qUAvjY
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) May 22, 2026
“Jalen Brunson really sold that Max Strus push-off. An OKC-worthy flop,” The New York Post’s Zach Braziller wrote.
Jalen Brunson really sold that Max Strus push-off. an OKC-worthy flop.
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) May 22, 2026
“Brunson got away with a flop there. Sheesh. Wiped away a bucket,” ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill remarked.
Brunson got away with a flop there. Sheesh. Wiped away a bucket
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) May 22, 2026
“What a legendary flop by Brunson on that Strus drive. Brunson was falling backwards before Strus extended 😂,” another user posted in disbelief.
What a legendary flop by Brunson on that Strus drive
Brunson was falling backwards before Strus extended 😂
— Gage (@GageEHC) May 22, 2026
“Jalen Brunson flopping like a motherf**ker just like Shai,” a Cavaliers supporter fumed.
Brunson ultimately finished the first half with just 2 points on 1-for-6 shooting (16.7%). Still, the Knicks managed to take a 53-49 halftime advantage before gaining further separation in the second half behind an 18-0 run and an uncharacteristically hot shooting night from wing Josh Hart.
