Jalen Brunson powered the Knicks to a blowout 137-98 against the Sixers on Monday night, posting another dizzying display in a tenure increasingly filled with them.
Brunson led the way with 35 points, anchoring a New York attack that bordered on unstoppable at times in Game 1. Philadelphia sent a wave of defenders to attempt to blight Brunson’s influence. Its efforts didn’t work. Brunson left a trail of weary defenders — including Kelly Oubre Jr. — in his wake.
Oubre tried to offer insight into the trials and tribulations that come with attempting to track Brunson on Tuesday afternoon. He highlighted a unique aspect of his game — his hulking head.
Here’s what you need to know.
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76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr. claims Jalen Brunson’s ‘big head’ is what makes him hard to guard
Oubre had his say on Brunson’s gifts while speaking with reporters on Tuesday. Brunson gashed Philadelphia’s defense to the tune of 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting on Monday night. He tallied 27 of that total in the first half, helping the Knicks forge a nigh-on impenetrable advantage.
When asked about Brunson’s efforts, Oubre was complimentary. He also offered an incisive bit of commentary on what makes Brunson such a tough guard.
Oubre pointed to Brunson’s larger than average cranium as one of the reasons for his on-court success. He explained that the size of his head inhibits defenders from getting close to him. When they do, they tend to get struck by his braids.
Oubre says Brunson “has a big head.” Claims he is hard to guard because people get hit by his braids. pic.twitter.com/pR0SQ3UjEP
— Barbara Barker (@meanbarb) May 5, 2026
Oubre isn’t the first person to make comments about the size of Brunson’s head. His New York teammate, Josh Hart, has made similar comments, once revealing that Brunson was unable to fit into multiple hats he purchased on account of his head size.
“That’s kind of a little embarrassing, because he has a huge head and really little ears,” Hart said in 2024, per Page Six.
He expressed similar sentiments when responding to Oubre’s comments on Tuesday afternoon.
Hart when asked if he thinks Jalen Brunson has a big head: “I think that’s pretty well documented.” pic.twitter.com/M4VZWlSgq1
— Barbara Barker (@meanbarb) May 5, 2026
“I think that’s pretty well documented,” Hart said.
