New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives as San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) and guard Dylan Harper (2) defend during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
As the final buzzer sounded Saturday night, giving the New York Knicks their first NBA title in 53 years, assistant coach Rick Brunson walked toward halfcourt at the Frost Bank Center. He hugged his son, Jalen, the star point guard who scored 45 points in the Knicks’ 94-90 Game 5 road victory over the San Antonio Spurs that long-suffering New York fans have been dreaming about for decades and will never forget. Rick then kissed Jalen on his forehead before Jalen wrapped a towel around his head.
“I felt emotional from that point on,” said Brunson, referring to the embrace with his father. “And then I just remember (teammate Josh Hart) talking into my ear, him just saying, ‘We did it. We did it.’ I was emotional for a good five, 10 minutes and then the excitement started to kick in.”
Brunson, a second round pick in 2018, wasn’t supposed to be the best player on a championship team. Heck, many thought he might not be a starter in the NBA. But he is now undoubtedly a Knicks’ legend who had one of the best performances in league history. It is the most points any Knick has scored in an NBA finals game and tied with Michael Jordan in 1998 for the most points in a clinching championship victory on the road. Brunson now may be the most beloved and decorated Knick since Walt Frazier, the point guard on championship teams in 1970 and 1973, the only other times they won the title.
