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The sister of New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson called out ESPN after personality Stephen A. Smith took aim at her brother’s team and his best friend, Josh Hart, during a “First Take” segment.
Smith called Hart, Brunson’s teammate and co-host of the “Roommates Show” podcast, because the Knicks have struggled in recent games, especially against NBA teams with a record above .500.
Erica Brunson, Jalen’s sister, took the time to post on X on Wednesday, where she tore into the “Worldwide Leader” after listening to Smith’s speech about the Knicks.
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Jalen Brunson and Erica Brunson attend the Haute Living Jalen Brunson Cover Celebration with JP Morgan Wealth Management and Mijenta Tequila at Avra Rockefeller on October 26, 2024 in New York City. (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
“I used to always have ESPN on in the background during the day,” Erica Brunson wrote on
The post was prompted by a video capturing Smith’s rant about the Knicks, who have now lost three straight games.
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With the team in playoff position, Smith took aim at Hart directly.
“A message to Josh Hart: Should I shut up now? Did what I said make sense? I mean, do you understand now?” Smith said. “You haven’t won a game since you responded to me. You’ve been on a losing streak since he responded to me. Maybe if you prioritize what I say and pay attention to the substance and truth of my comments instead of protecting your boys, you would win games when you face teams that are better than .500 with their record.
“Do I make sense now? Because I don’t want to get personal. I’m talking about basketball, because any time you play someone who’s relatively respectable, you wet the bed. You’re like 4-8, or 4-9, against winning teams since the All-Star break. But you’re 9-0 against teams below .500. Well, who do you think you’re going to play come playoff time?”
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart reacts to a call during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. (Jérôme Miron/Imagn Images)
The Knicks may be struggling in their last few outings, but they are still winners in seven of their last 10 games. But Smith added that the challenges will come against teams they will see in the playoffs very soon.
“The New York Knicks are literally weeks away from the start of the playoffs, and Josh Hart is on camera saying, ‘We’re going in the wrong direction. You know, what needs to be put in place.’ We are dealing with a team that does not yet have a definitive identity. We’re dealing with a team that New York Knicks fans know is talented and knows is playoff caliber,” Smith said.
Like her brother, Erica Brunson went to Villanova and graduated in 2023 with a degree in communications and a minor in education. She currently works at CAA, Jalen’s agency, in basketball marketing and client services.
Stephen A. Smith joined Bill Maher on the March 27 episode of “Real Time,” discussing politics and who could potentially lead both parties in the future. (Live with Bill Maher/YouTube)
The Knicks have just six games left in the regular season before the playoffs begin. They currently sit third in the Eastern Conference standings, behind the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics.
