All articles tagged with #brunson
Becky Hammon defends her 2023 ESPN remark that Jalen Brunson was “too small” to be the Knicks’ top option, noting he proved her wrong by leading New York to its first NBA title in 53 years. She calls Brunson an outlier, praises his 2026 postseason performance, and, while acknowledging he’s a 1A-type player, won’t back down from her original take, even joking that he might be the greatest Knick ever.
The Knicks are one win from their first NBA championship since 1973, hoping to clinch in Game 5 on the Spurs’ home floor as Jalen Brunson leads with 29.5 PPG in the series and a 36-point Game 4; Miles McBride has struggled but remains confident, while a late-game lineup swap pairing Brunson with Jose Alvarado helped swing Game 4 with Alvarado scoring 8 in the second half. The team’s maturity and focus on the next possession are emphasized, as Finals MVP chatter tilts toward OG Anunoby per The Athletic and Karl-Anthony Towns is singled out as a potential New York legend for his playoff impact, with Towns noting his willingness to do whatever it takes to win. Alvarado’s $4.5M option for next season is also noted as part of the ongoing roster considerations.
The New York Knicks stormed back from a 29-point deficit to stun the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, taking a 3-1 series lead. Jalen Brunson exploded for 36 points and made key late plays, OG Anunoby tipped in the game-winner after Brunson’s miss with one second left, and Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs coughed up late opportunities. Wembanyama had 24 points but missed two late free throws; Anunoby scored 33 on seven threes; Dylan Harper added 21 off the bench, while Towns had 13 for New York. The Spurs’ offense cooled dramatically in the second half, and a late timeout decision by San Antonio loomed as a factor in the collapse, setting the stage for a pivotal Game 5.
The NBA decided not to upgrade Victor Wembanyama's shove of Jalen Brunson to a flagrant foul in Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals, leaving him with two playoff flagrant points. Monty McCutchen acknowledged a foul should have been called, but the league maintained the call, avoiding a suspension risk for now. Wembanyama has already earned a Flagrant-2 this postseason, and upgrading could have triggered a one-game ban. Despite the controversy, he led the Spurs to a 115-111 win that trimmed the Knicks' series lead to 2-1 ahead of Game 4.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson was shoved in the back of the head by Victor Wembanyama in Game 3, prompting Jose Alvarado to say the shove isn’t basketball and urging a look at a possible flagrant as the NBA reviews the play; officials reportedly missed a foul and the league could assess a Flagrant 1 or higher. The game also featured a Josh Hart technical after a skirmish with Spurs’ Luke Kornet, and Knicks coach Mike Brown criticized officiating and free-throw disparities as San Antonio outshot New York 32-22 from the line. With the Knicks up 2-1, the teams head to Game 4 in New York.
The New York Knicks stretched their Finals lead to 2-0 with a 105-104 win at San Antonio, showcasing a balanced, resilient attack and clutch play from Jalen Brunson as they chase a historic championship drought. The Spurs, despite youthful flashes, appear outmatched and a series move to MSG looms, where New York’s growing cohesion and pressure could seal a 53-year wait.
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals, led by Jalen Brunson’s 30 points and a late clutch run in the fourth quarter. Josh Hart contributed defensively with four steals and six assists, while Jose Alvarado provided a timely spark after Brunson injured his ankle. Victor Wembanyama had 26 points but shot poorly, and San Antonio struggled to convert from deep, giving New York control late as the series opened in San Antonio.
Three Knicks players from Villanova—Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart—could join a rare club by clinching the NBA title, becoming part of a select group who won both NCAA and NBA championships. The article traces how the Villanova trio built chemistry, their reunion with the Knicks, and even breaks down Knicks and Spurs rosters by college conference, noting past NCAA-NBA double champions like Russell/Jones and Havlicek/Siegfried.
Jalen Brunson punctuated Game 1 of the NBA Finals with clutch scoring and late shots, lifting the upstart Knicks to a 105–95 win as coach Mike Brown praised him as the closer; the night also highlighted Karl-Anthony Towns facing Victor Wembanyama in a key matchup.
Karl-Anthony Towns cages Victor Wembanyama on the defensive end and helps the Knicks grab a gritty Game 1 win in San Antonio. Jalen Brunson goes for 30 as New York weathered a tough, physical night, while Deuce McBride and Josh Hart chipped in with timely plays and key fourth-quarter stops to seal the road victory in the NBA Finals opener.
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, with Jalen Brunson scoring 30 despite knee and ankle injuries and sparking an 11-0 finish to extend New York’s playoff win streak to 12. Victor Wembanyama contributed 26 points and 12 rebounds but the Knicks surged in the final stretch, and a brief fan interruption occurred late. Game 2 is set for Friday in San Antonio.
Jalen Brunson, playing through two injuries, scores 30 to lift the Knicks to a 105-95 win over the Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, extending New York’s playoff win streak to 12 and leaving them three wins from their first title since 1973. Victor Wembanyama had 26 points and 12 rebounds but shot poorly, while New York’s late defense and clutch play sealed the victory.
Jalen Brunson scores 30, including 13 in the fourth quarter, as the New York Knicks rally to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, preventing a Spurs upset and giving New York a 1-0 series lead. Victor Wembanyama had 26 points but shot just 6-for-21, while OG Anunoby poured in 12 points in the fourth to help seal the win and New York finished with no turnovers in the final period; Game 2 is Friday in San Antonio before the series shifts to Madison Square Garden.
Mike Lupica argues the Knicks have transformed into the old, championship-caliber team, riding an 11-0 postseason run into the NBA Finals after a 130-93 Game 4 win over the Cavaliers, with Jalen Brunson leading a fast, efficient attack and New York fans finally believing they can win it all, echoing the franchise’s 1970s–1990s glory as they eye potential finals opponents like the Thunder or Spurs.
New York swept Cleveland 130-93 in Game 4 to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. They’ll face the Western Conference champion (OKC vs. San Antonio) with Game 1 on June 3. Key contributors included Jalen Brunson (15 points, 0 turnovers), Karl-Anthony Towns (19 points, 14 rebounds) and Landry Shamet (4-for-4 off the bench), as New York rode an 11-game playoff win streak en route to its third championship opportunity.