Knicks win NBA title as Jalen Brunson scores 45 points
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-89 in game five of the 2026 NBA Finals. Jalen Brunson scored 45 points and was named Finals MVP.
ESPNJalen Brunson scored 45 points and was named Finals MVP. He said his approach to the game was shaped by watching his father, Rick Brunson, play for the Knicks during their 1999 Finals appearance.
Background on the Brunson family Rick Brunson played nine seasons in the NBA, including time with the Knicks, Chicago Bulls, and Portland Trail Blazers. He joined the Knicks coaching staff as an assistant in 2022, the same year his son signed with the team.
Jalen Brunson was selected 33rd overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. He averaged about 16 points per game during four seasons with the Dallas Mavericks before joining New York.
Celebration and next steps Thousands of fans in orange and blue filled New York City streets after the game. A ticker-tape parade is scheduled later this week. Brunson told Men's Journal that his work ethic has remained consistent throughout his career. He said he continues to focus on preparation regardless of external attention.
