Overview
- The New York Knicks won the 2026 NBA championship, beating the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 to clinch the title on San Antonio’s court.
- Jalen Brunson was named Finals MVP after a dominant postseason in which he averaged 28.4 points, 6.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals across 19 playoff games.
- Brunson added multiple honors including Eastern Conference Finals MVP, NBA Cup MVP and several ESPY awards, raising his profile beyond basketball coverage.
- Media voices such as Stephen A. Smith have argued that Brunson’s performance shifted the league narrative away from Victor Wembanyama, and Smith said on First Take that Brunson “saved the NBA.”
- The Knicks now face offseason roster changes after center Mitchell Robinson signed with the Boston Celtics, Brunson has said he is not recruiting free agents and that front-office leaders will make personnel decisions.