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Tag: Jalen Brunson

  • “They don’t deserve it”: Jalen Brunson fires back at critics during Knicks’ championship parade

    “They don’t deserve it”: Jalen Brunson fires back at critics during Knicks’ championship parade

    The long-awaited championship dream has finally become reality for the New York Knicks.

     

    After more than five decades of heartbreak, near misses, and unfulfilled expectations, the Knicks ended a 53-year NBA title drought by defeating the San Antonio Spurs, 94-90, in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on Sunday, June 14 (Philippine Standard Time). The victory secured a commanding 4-1 series triumph and delivered New York’s first NBA championship since 1973, marking a historic moment for one of the league’s most iconic franchises.

     

    The championship capped off a remarkable postseason run that will be remembered as one of the greatest in franchise history. Throughout the playoffs, the Knicks showcased resilience, grit, and an unwavering belief that ultimately carried them to basketball’s biggest prize.

     

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    At the center of the historic triumph was superstar guard Jalen Brunson, who delivered a performance for the ages on the game’s grandest stage. Facing a hostile crowd and a determined Spurs team desperate to extend the series, Brunson erupted for 45 points while adding three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. His relentless scoring attack and steady leadership sparked New York’s comeback from a daunting 16-point deficit, helping the Knicks seize momentum and close out the championship-clinching victory.

     

    Brunson’s heroics were not limited to Game 5. The All-Star guard consistently elevated his play throughout the Finals, serving as the driving force behind New York’s success. His outstanding performances earned him NBA Finals Most Valuable Player honors, cementing his legacy among the franchise’s all-time greats and further strengthening his status as the face of a new era of Knicks basketball.

    The celebration continued days later as New York City erupted in jubilation. More than a million fans lined the streets around City Hall in the early hours of Friday, June 19 (Philippine Standard Time), creating a sea of blue and orange as players, coaches, and team officials paraded through Manhattan with the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

     

    The championship parade served as a tribute not only to the team’s remarkable season but also to generations of Knicks fans who had waited decades to witness another title. Chants echoed throughout the city as supporters celebrated a championship many believed might never come.

    Addressing the massive crowd during the festivities, Brunson took a moment to respond to the critics who had questioned his ability to lead a team to an NBA championship.

     

    “There’s a lot of people that have a lot of negative stuff to say. There’s a lot of people who have a lot of opinions. But when you prove them wrong, you really don’t have to say s**t to them. They don’t deserve it,” Brunson said.

     

    His remarks were met with thunderous applause from the thousands gathered at City Hall, many of whom viewed Brunson’s journey as symbolic of the team’s own rise from years of doubt and disappointment to ultimate success.

     

    The parade also drew a star-studded crowd, highlighting the cultural significance of the Knicks’ championship victory. Among the notable figures in attendance were New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee, actors Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller, and Mariska Hargitay, as well as television host Jon Stewart. Grammy Award-winning singer Alicia Keys added to the celebratory atmosphere with a special performance that energized the packed gathering.

     

    For a franchise that had endured more than half a century without a title, the championship represented far more than a single season’s accomplishment. It was the culmination of decades of loyalty from one of the NBA’s most passionate fan bases and the beginning of a new chapter in Knicks history.

     

    As confetti filled the air and the championship trophy was proudly displayed before the adoring crowd, the message was clear: after 53 long years, the New York Knicks were finally NBA champions once again.

     

     

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  • “It’s Everything We Dreamed Of”: Jalen Brunson joins Knicks immortals with Finals MVP performance 

    “It’s Everything We Dreamed Of”: Jalen Brunson joins Knicks immortals with Finals MVP performance 

    For years, New York searched for the face that could bring championship basketball back to Madison Square Garden.

     

    On Saturday night, Jalen Brunson made sure there would be no more searching.

     

    The Knicks star delivered the defining performance of his career, scoring 45 points in the title-clinching Game 5 victory over the San Antonio Spurs and leading New York to its first NBA championship since 1973.

     

    When the celebration finally arrived, it was not just about ending a 53-year wait.

     

    It was about a player who transformed himself from a second-round draft pick into the centerpiece of one of the most memorable championship runs in franchise history.

     

    As confetti rained down and the Larry O’Brien Trophy found its way back to New York, Brunson was named the recipient of the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award after spearheading the Knicks’ triumph over Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.

     

    Standing beside his father, Rick Brunson, on the championship stage, the moment appeared almost too overwhelming to process.

     

    “It’s everything we dreamed of. It’s why I came to New York,” Brunson said.

     

    The scene carried added significance for the Brunson family.

     

    Rick, a former NBA point guard and now an assistant coach with the Knicks, watched his son lead the franchise to the top of the basketball world. Together, they became the first father-son duo to win an NBA championship with the same organization.

     

    Asked what it meant to share the achievement with his father, Brunson briefly searched for words before delivering a message that reflected the identity New York built throughout its championship campaign.

     

    “Whatever you put in front of us, we’re going to find a way,” he added. “Every time. Every time.”

     

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    That belief became the defining theme of the Knicks’ postseason.

     

    Whether battling through close finishes, overcoming deficits, or carrying the weight of championship expectations in basketball’s biggest market, New York consistently found answers.

    More often than not, those answers came from Brunson.

     

    Across the NBA Finals, the 29-year-old averaged 32.6 points, 4.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game, serving as the driving force behind a team that finally delivered the city its long-awaited basketball celebration.

     

    His Game 5 masterpiece was the fitting conclusion to a playoff run that elevated him from All-Star guard to franchise icon.

     

    The championship adds another chapter to a résumé that already included three NBA All-Star selections, three All-NBA honors, and an NBA Cup MVP award. Before that came a decorated college career at Villanova, where he captured two NCAA championships.

     

    But this accomplishment stands above the rest.

     

    Brunson arrived in New York with the challenge of restoring relevance to one of basketball’s most storied franchises.

     

    Four years later, he leaves no doubt about his place in Knicks history.

     

    The drought is over. The banner is coming home.

     

     

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  • Jalen Brunson delivers championship masterpiece as Knicks end 53-year wait

    Jalen Brunson delivers championship masterpiece as Knicks end 53-year wait

    For decades, New York basketball lived on memories.

     

    The banners hanging inside Madison Square Garden belonged to another era. Generations of Knicks fans grew up hearing stories about championships they had never seen, waiting for a team capable of turning nostalgia into reality.

     

    On Saturday night in San Antonio, that wait finally ended.

     

    The New York Knicks are NBA champions once again.

     

    And fittingly, the moment belonged to the player who has become the face of the franchise’s revival.

     

    Jalen Brunson authored the defining performance of his career, pouring in 45 points as the Knicks erased a 16-point deficit and defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 94-90, in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to capture their first championship since 1973.

     

    It was not a night built on dominance. It was built on resilience.

     

    The Spurs came out swinging, racing to a 31-15 advantage and appearing ready to force the series back to New York. But throughout this postseason, the Knicks have made a habit of surviving uncomfortable situations, and Saturday proved no different.

     

    Brunson refused to let the game slip away.

     

    As New York struggled to generate offense, the All-Star guard kept the Knicks within striking distance, knocking down his first three attempts from beyond the arc and steadily dragging his team back into the contest.

     

    By the second half, what once looked like a comfortable Spurs lead had become another Knicks fight.

     

    The defining sequence came in the third quarter when Brunson drew a foul on a three-point attempt and calmly converted all three free throws, giving New York an 86-85 lead — its first advantage since the opening stages of the game.

     

    From there, the Knicks leaned on defense, composure, and the confidence built through months of close victories.

     

    When the final buzzer sounded, decades of frustration instantly disappeared.

     

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    Knicks players flooded the court in celebration. Traveling fans inside the arena erupted. Back in New York, celebrations spilled into streets, bars, and watch parties across the city as the franchise finally reclaimed its place atop the basketball world.

     

    Brunson’s performance instantly entered NBA Finals history.

     

    According to Opta Stats, he became just the second player ever to score 45 points on the road in a championship-clinching game. The only other player to accomplish the feat was Michael Jordan during the Chicago Bulls’ title-winning victory over the Utah Jazz.

     

    The magnitude of the moment was evident everywhere.

     

    Karl-Anthony Towns, whose arrival helped transform New York into a legitimate contender, broke down in tears while embracing loved ones. Players shared emotional moments with family members as years of sacrifice culminated in the franchise’s long-awaited breakthrough.

     

    Brunson, meanwhile, celebrated with his father, Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson.

     

    Even after delivering one of the greatest performances in franchise history, words were difficult to find.

     

    “I’ve got no words,” Brunson said after a long pause, with tears in his eyes. “It’s everything I ever dreamed of.”

     

    “I don’t know what I’m feeling. I’m just, like, I’m in awe. I don’t know. Whenever someone counted us out, we find a way to come back and do something about.”

     

    The quote perfectly captured New York’s championship journey.

     

    The Knicks were doubted. They were tested. They repeatedly found themselves staring at adversity.

     

    Yet every time, they found a way forward.

     

    Now, after 53 years of waiting, the city finally has a new championship team to celebrate — and a new basketball hero to remember forever.

     

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  • “We’re going to keep chipping away”: Jalen Brunson reveals Knicks’ winning mentality 

    “We’re going to keep chipping away”: Jalen Brunson reveals Knicks’ winning mentality 

    The New York Knicks made the perfect start to the 2025-26 NBA Finals, producing a remarkable comeback to defeat the San Antonio Spurs, 105-95, in Game 1 at the Frost Bank Center on Thursday, June 4 (Philippine Standard Time).

     

    The victory handed New York a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series and continued what has become one of the most impressive postseason runs in franchise history. Facing a 14-point deficit in the second half against a talented Spurs team led by Victor Wembanyama, the Knicks once again showcased the resilience and determination that have defined their playoff campaign.

     

    At the center of the comeback was star guard Jalen Brunson, who delivered another clutch performance on the NBA’s biggest stage. Brunson finished with 30 points, three rebounds, and two assists, taking control when his team needed him most. The All-Star guard scored 13 points in the fourth quarter alone, spearheading a dominant final-period surge that silenced the home crowd and extended New York’s winning streak to 12 games.

     

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    While Brunson stole the spotlight, he received valuable contributions from several teammates. Karl-Anthony Towns provided a strong presence in the paint and on the boards, OG Anunoby delivered his trademark two-way impact, and Landry Shamet chipped in with timely scoring.

    Together, they helped the Knicks erase the deficit and outplay the Spurs down the stretch.

     

    The result highlighted the mental toughness that has become a hallmark of this Knicks squad throughout the postseason. Time and again, New York has found ways to respond under pressure, refusing to panic when trailing and consistently finding answers in crucial moments.

     

    Following the victory, Brunson praised the collective mindset that has allowed the Knicks to overcome adversity throughout their playoff journey.

    “I think we know what we have to do. I think we are a pretty together group and still just continue to fight and have each others’ back and just know that we’re going to keep chipping away, chipping away. It’s a credit to the mentality we have as a team,” Brunson said after the game.

     

    The win moved New York three victories away from ending one of the longest championship droughts in franchise history. The Knicks are seeking their first NBA title since 1973 and are appearing in the Finals for the first time since 1999, adding extra significance to every game in the series.

     

    However, despite taking the early advantage, Brunson was quick to stress that the job is far from finished. The 29-year-old acknowledged the quality of the Spurs and expects a strong response from a young San Antonio roster that has exceeded expectations throughout the season.

     

    Led by the generational talent of Wembanyama, the Spurs have consistently demonstrated their ability to bounce back from adversity and remain one of the league’s most dangerous teams. For Brunson and the Knicks, maintaining focus will be essential as they attempt to seize control of the series.

     

    “They come ready to play more than any other team we have faced. We have the utmost respect for them. We know that we have got to be ready for game two. We can’t just be satisfied. We have a lot of things we can do to be better,” he added.

     

    Game 2 is set to take place at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June 6 (Philippine Standard Time), with the Knicks aiming to carry their momentum into another hostile road environment. New York will once again look to Brunson to lead the way as they chase a crucial second victory before the series shifts venues.

     

    If Game 1 was any indication, the Knicks possess the confidence, composure, and championship belief required to compete for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Yet against a Spurs team eager to respond, they know another stern test awaits in what promises to be a fiercely contested NBA Finals.

     

     

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  • Stephen Curry, Lakers top NBA jersey and team merchandise sales lists for 2025-26

    Stephen Curry, Lakers top NBA jersey and team merchandise sales lists for 2025-26

    The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) jointly announced on Tuesday that Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry and the Los Angeles Lakers have claimed the top spots on the league’s latest Top-Selling Jersey and Team Merchandise lists, respectively. The rankings are based on sales data from NBAStore.com and Fanatics’ global network of online retail platforms, including Fanatics.com and its affiliated partner sites.

     

    Curry’s continued dominance atop the jersey sales chart underscores his enduring popularity and global appeal, even deep into his decorated career. Widely regarded as one of the most influential players in modern basketball, the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player remains a fan favorite thanks to his electrifying shooting, championship pedigree, and cultural impact on the game.

     

    The Lakers’ position as the top-selling team further highlights the franchise’s massive worldwide following. With a roster that blends star power, legacy, and championship expectations, Los Angeles continues to lead the league in merchandise sales, reinforcing its status as one of the NBA’s most iconic brands.

     

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    The updated Top-Selling Jersey list also reflects the league’s evolving star hierarchy and growing international reach. Nine players on the list have been named starters for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, which will introduce a new U.S. vs. World format and will be held on February 15 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    Those All-Star starters include:

    • No. 1 Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) 
    • No. 2 Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers) 
    • No. 3 Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks) 
    • No. 4 Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) 
    • No. 7 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder) 
    • No. 9 Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets) 
    • No. 10 Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers) 
    • No. 13 Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) 
    • No. 14 Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons) 

    The list also features notable new faces. Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, who checks in at No. 11, makes his debut on the rankings, reflecting strong early fan interest in the highly touted newcomer. Cunningham, meanwhile, also appears on the list for the first time, marking a milestone in his rising profile as the face of the Pistons’ rebuild.

     

    International stars continue to play a major role in shaping the NBA’s commercial landscape. Five non-U.S. players rank among the top jersey sellers, highlighting the league’s expanding global audience. These include Dončić of Slovenia, Wembanyama of France, Gilgeous-Alexander of Canada, Jokić of Serbia, and Antetokounmpo of Greece—each representing a different country and reinforcing the NBA’s worldwide appeal.

     

    Among the biggest movers on the list is Jalen Brunson, who climbed to a career-high No. 3 ranking after finishing last season at No. 5. The Knicks guard’s rise mirrors his on-court ascension as one of the league’s premier point guards and a cornerstone of New York’s resurgence.

     

    Overall, the latest jersey and merchandise sales data offer a snapshot of the NBA’s current star power—one defined by a mix of established icons, emerging young talent, and a growing international presence. As the league heads toward All-Star Weekend and the latter stages of the season, fan engagement remains strong, both on the court and at the checkout counter.

     

     

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