NBA
Why does Jalen Brunson put a hand in front of his face when he scores a 3-pointer?
The Knicks guard is averaging over 40 points so far this month and clocked an average of just under 48 percent from the field during the regular season, He has a peculiar way of celebrating.
NBA fans cannot help but notice Jalen Brunson’s peculiar way of celebrating every time he pings in a 3-pointer. The 27-year-old New York Knicks guard has been averaging 47.9 percent from the field during the current season, a marked improvement on his career average of 38.6. He played a crucial role in Tuesday’s Eastern Conference semi-final opener against the Pacers, finishing as the top scorer in Game 1 with a staggering 43 points - over a third of his team’s total in the 121-117 win.
He also ended with 1-4 from beyond the perimeter line - an unusually low return for him. But at least he got the chance to dust off his signature 3-point celebration. We’ve seen a lot of different 3-point celebrations over the years, such as Carmelo Anthony’s three fingers to the head routine and several players are known for their three-point goggles.
What is Jalen Brunson’s three-pointer celebration about?
Brunson’s celebration however is a little more esoteric. He brings his right hand up to his face, places his his index finger and thumb either side of his nose, then gives a quick, three-finger salute before running to the other end of the floor. Earlier in the playoffs, when quizzed about it, the Knicks All-Star refused to give an explanation which only resulted in increasing the intrigue.
One observer noted that Brunson’s celebration is very similar to the one which Roma and Argentina forward Paulo Dybala is known for in Serie A. Dybala places his hand over his mouth with index finger and thumb forming a gladiator mask, inspired by the film of the same name. The Argentine’s hand gesture originates from a Coppa Italia game in which he missed a penalty.
But Brunson doesn’t follow Italian soccer so any similarity with Dybala’s celebration is pure coincidence. Brunson confessed to the Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks that the celebration just came about off the cuff last year, it doesn’t really mean anything and just stuck.
He will have several chances to perform his 3-pointer ritual during the semi-final series. With the Knicks 1-0 up, Game 2 is scheduled for this evening at Madison Square Garden in New York City with the series moving to Indianapolis on Friday 10 May and Sunday 12 May.