Knicks HC Calls Out Refs After Jalen Brunson Gets 0 FTs vs. Cavs, Star Deserves 'Better Whistle'

New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown was unhappy with the officiating, particularly pertaining to Jalen Brunson, in his team's 115-107 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.

During his postgame press conference, Brown called Brunson having no free-throw attempts "pretty alarming" and that he would hope to "get a better whistle" from the officials.

"I just control what I can control and keep it at that," Brunson said when asked about not getting to the free-throw line.

Brunson still finished with a team-high 27 points in the loss. This was the first time he has played at least 35 minutes without attempting a free throw since Dec. 27, 2025, against the Atlanta Hawks.

Cavaliers-Knicks Highlights

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The Cavaliers did have a 25-11 advantage in free-throw attempts. OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns were the only Knicks players who got to the line. Brunson is tied for 14th among all players with 7.1 free-throw attempts per game this season.

New York's 11 total free-throw attempts were its fewest in a game this season. The Knicks have only taken fewer than 20 free throws three times in 11 games so far in the 2026-27 campaign.

The Knicks' second-fewest free-throw attempts in a game this season is 14. It was done twice, most recently on Nov. 7 also against Cleveland.

Wednesday's loss snapped New York's four-game winning streak overall and five-game winning streak against the Cavs dating back to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.

Brunson and the Knicks will look to get back on track on Friday as they start a four-game road trip at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against the Indiana Pacers.