Jalen Brunson leads Knicks to first NBA title in 53 years
The New York Knicks captured their first championship since 1973 as guard Jalen Brunson delivered a standout performance in the Finals, prompting widespread celebration across the city.
Jalen Brunson scored 45 points in Game 5 as the New York Knicks clinched the NBA championship, ending a 53-year title drought for the franchise. Brunson averaged 32.6 points per game in the series and shot 38.9 percent from three-point range, with his fourth-quarter scoring rising to 51.4 percent.
Teammate Mikal Bridges celebrated the victory on social media, praising Brunson’s effort and suggesting a statue be erected in his honor. Former Knicks coach Becky Hammon, who had previously doubted the team’s chances, was cited by Bridges as a source of motivation for Brunson.
After the win, Brunson declined to comment further on Bridges’s remarks, stating he would not respond to speculation. The guard, who cohosts the "Roommates Show" podcast with teammate Josh Hart, was greeted by a large crowd outside a studio in the suburbs of New York City, where police blocked the street to manage the gathering.
Director Spike Lee, a longtime Knicks fan, said the team’s success unites fans across the five boroughs.
Brunson, a second-round draft pick who previously played for the Dallas Mavericks, signed a four-year, $156.5 million extension with the Knicks in 2024, a contract that allowed the franchise flexibility to reshape its roster. He credited his work ethic and offseason training for his performance, noting that he focuses on the process rather than the outcome.
Former Knicks assistant Rick Brunson, Jalen’s father, reflected on his son’s development, emphasizing the importance of mental toughness and self-motivation instilled during Jalen’s youth.
The championship sparked citywide celebrations, including a mural update on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and a look-alike contest at Washington Square Park. A petition to rename the Hudson River after Brunson gathered several hundred signatures.
Brunson expressed gratitude to the organization and the city, saying, "I’m really thankful that this organization, this city, this fan base took me in and I was able to achieve a goal that we all had."