Brunson secured his first ring three years older than Curry, who was just 26 when he won his first NBA Finals. However, the Golden State Warriors legend shares the distinction of winning the title in his very first Finals appearance.

Compared to James, Brunson is two years older than the Lakers star was during his first championship run. James was 27 when he got his first ring against Oklahoma City. Had Brunson not won, Victor Wembanyama could have done it at 22 but he came up short in his first trip to the Finals.

Brunson left his mark on the Finals

Brunson didn’t just help bring a title to New York; he also posted some massive individual numbers this postseason. He logged his fourth-highest playoff scoring average while pulling down a postseason career-high 4.1 defensive rebounds per game.

In the decisive Game 5 against the Spurs to clinch the title, Brunson dropped 45 points, another feat that holds up against James and Curry. It’s a performance that will undoubtedly go down in franchise history as an iconic moment, anchoring the team’s comeback to win the Finals.

Brunson didn’t cruise to this ring, either. The Knicks battled through some regular-season turbulence and missed out on the top seed in the Eastern Conference. But once the playoffs started, they found a second gear, dropping just three games total and avoiding a single Game 7.

Brunson ended with 45 points, but it fell a bit short of Curry’s best NBA Finals performance. Back in Game 3 of the 2019 NBA Finals, Curry had 47 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists against the Toronto Raptors.

On the other hand, LeBron James‘ best NBA Finals game came in Game 1 of the 2018 series vs. the Golden State Warriors. James scored 51 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in that game. Alongside his 45 points, Brunson had just three rebounds and three assists.

There’s a key difference in Brunson’s performance compared to Curry and James’

While scoring 45 points is nothing to be ashamed of, the box score alone signal James and Curry games as better than Brunson’s. Not only on the points statistics, but also on rebounds and assists.

However, Brunson wouldn’t trade his performance with either of them. After all, James and Curry both lost those games, while Brunson’s gave the Knicks their first NBA Championship in more than five decades. There’s no price tag in what Brunson just achieved.

Brunson’s NBA Finals performance puts him in elite company

Per Underdog NBA, there’s only been four players in NBA history scoring 45+ points in a closeout game in the NBA Finals. Brunson is the fourth guy on that list, joining top-talent names:

• Jalen Brunson
• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Michael Jordan
• Bob Pettit

The report on X was delivered by Stefan Bondy, who wrote, “The fan who verbally harassed Jalen Brunson in Game 1 is not ‘permitted to sit in courtside seats’ during the NBA Finals, an NBA spokesperson told The Post.” Bondy also revealed that the individual is not a season ticket holder.

It remains unclear exactly what was directed at Brunson, as he declined to mention the specifics during his postgame press conference. Instead, he chose to focus on the momentum of the New York Knicks after securing a 1-0 series lead with a 105-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Who is the suspect accused of harassing Jalen Brunson?

While the league has not released any names, a potential lead has surfaced. In an article for the New York Post, Christian Arnold reported that a viral Spurs supporter may have had a run-in with the individual involved in the incident, noting that the same man had allegedly insulted her either before or during the game.

It is still unknown whether the fan who harassed Brunson will be publicly identified, but the NBA‘s swift response serves as a strong warning to anyone attempting to disrupt the game or target players during the Finals.

Following the Game 1 victory, Brunson and the NY Knicks head into Game 2 as favorites once again. Boasting home-court advantage is always massive, especially for a franchise and a fan base that have waited decades for another legitimate shot at lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Stephon Castle spoke on the difference between guarding SGA and Jalen Brunson when it comes to their foul-drawing capabilities. “Jalen likes to use angles a lot more, pump fakes. Get to his spots. Not really trying to draw fouls as much, trying to get to his midrange and spots where he likes,” he said, per SNY Knicks on X.

Jalen Brunson spent a lot of time being defended by Spurs guard Stephon Castle, who had a strong defensive series against reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC in the Western Conference Finals. Stephon Castle played a great role there, preventing the MVP from shining.

Brunson and Shai utilizing physicality in different ways

The propensity of Gilgeous-Alexander to embellish contact and get to the free-throw line has been a major talking point throughout these playoffs, with some fans opining that the Thunder star was not being “ethical” in his scoring habits.

Jalen Brunson has been known to sell a call or two in his own time, but he still had plenty of complaints for the refs during and after the game on Wednesday, hitting the deck numerous times without getting a whistle. Furthermore, Jalen Brunson is quite physical when it comes to gaining space against his opponent, but he does not usually flop or simulate fouls.

The Spurs will want to keep Stephon Castle on Jalen Brunson defensively as much as possible moving forward in hopes of limiting the Knicks star to similar inefficient evenings as he had on Wednesday night.

Castle thinks they are better

Stephon Castle and the Spurs will need to go back to the drawing board for their game plan on Jalen Brunson. The southpaw had a game-high 30 points along with three rebounds and two assists, helping the Knicks overcome a 14-point deficit.

Not surprisingly, Stephon Castle isn’t panicking after one game. He thought San Antonio’s lack of collective postseason experience may have been a hindrance in the opener.

“We feel like we’re the better team,” he said. “We didn’t play well and still had a chance to win. … If we take one thing from that, just going back to being ourselves.” Game 2 of the NBA Finals is set for Friday evening in San Antonio.

In a seemingly nothing play, Spurs‘ Harrison Barnes fell to the floor and landed against Brunson’s right knee. At first, the contact felt light, but Brunson immediately reached for his leg and was seen limping in the play right after.

Brunson had to leave the game to be examined by team doctors in the locker room. After a quick absence, however, he returned to the team bench and appeared healthy enough to keep playing in the NBA Finals. Still, it’s something to keep an eye on moving forward.

Brunson’s injury history

Throughout his eight-year NBA career, Brunson has battled several setbacks. According to FOX Sports, Brunson has been listed for 36 different injuries since he entered the league as a second-round selection in the 2018 Draft.

Knee injuries, like the one he has seemingly avoided after the scary play with Barnes, have only affected him twice in his career, though. Both occurred during the 2023-24 NBA season. Since then, Brunson has never been listed with a knee injury.

However, even if he manages to complete the remainder of Game 1 of the Finals, the Knicks must keep a close eye on their star guard. Perhaps, in the heat of the moment, playing for everything he ever dreamed of, Brunson can shrug off the pain, but there might be something bothering him and threatening to derail New York’s championship hopes.

NBA Finals schedule

Although the winner of Game 1 will come out of the series opener with a big confidence boost, both sides will immediately turn their eyes into Game 2, which is just as important before the NBA Finals switch home locations. The full series schedule is as follows:

• Game 2: Knicks at Spurs on June 5
• Game 3: Spurs at Knicks on June 8
• Game 4: Spurs at Knicks on June 10
• Game 5: Knicks at Spurs on June 13 (if necessary)
• Game 6: Spurs at Knicks on June 16 (if necessary)
• Game 7: Knicks at Spurs on June 19 (if necessary)

Developing story…

They first reached the NBA Finals in the early 1950s, appearing three straight times but falling short each year. Their breakthrough arrived in the modern era under Willis Reed and Walt Frazier, when NY captured titles in 1970 and 1973.

Since then, however, success on the league’s biggest stage had been rare. They returned to the Finals in 1994 and again in 1999, coming up short both times. In 2026, the Knicks finally returned to glory days.

When did the New York Knicks win their NBA championships?

The New York Knicks won their three NBA championships in 1970, 1973, and 2026. They captured their first two titles during the early 1970s, a dominant era in franchise history that established them as one of the elite teams in the league.

The first championship came in the 1969–70 NBA season, when the Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in a dramatic seven-game NBA Finals series. That title run is remembered for Willis Reed’s legendary Game 7 return despite injury.

Their second championship arrived in the 1972–73 season, once again against the Lakers, but this time NY closed the series in five games, led by a balanced roster featuring Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Dave DeBusschere and Earl Monroe.

In 2025-26, the team ended its long title drought with a resilient team led by Jalen Brunson, who scored 45 points in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.

What is the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals record?

The New York Knicks hold a 3–6 record in NBA Finals appearances, winning three championships in nine total trips. Their Finals history reflects early struggles, a dominant peak in the 1970s, and long droughts between appearances.

They reached the Finals in 1951, 1952, 1953, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1994 and 1999, winning only in 1970, 1973, and 2026. Their defeats include early losses in the 1950s, a 1972 setback, and later Finals defeats in 1994 and 1999.

Despite the losing record in Finals series, the Knicks remain one of the most historically significant franchises in the NBA due to their longevity, consistent playoff presence across decades, and iconic championship teams.

When was the last time the Knicks reached the NBA Finals?

The Knicks last reached the NBA Finals in 2026, ending a 27-year drought since their previous appearance in 1999. They returned to the league’s biggest stage after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals.

This appearance marks only the franchise’s ninth in history, underscoring how rare this moment is for one of the NBA’s most iconic teams. They had last played for the title in 1999, when they fell to the San Antonio Spurs in five games.

The 2026 run was led by Jalen Brunson, who delivered MVP-level performances throughout the playoffs and in the Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.

The season was led by head coach Mike Brown, who took over in 2025 and guided the franchise to its most successful campaigns in decades, culminating in an NBA championship.

Who led the Knicks to their NBA Finals victories?

The New York Knicks’ NBA championships in 1970 and 1973 were led primarily by power forward Willis Reed and point guard Walt “Clyde” Frazier, with key support from forward Dave DeBusschere and the rest of the 1970s core.

NY built their title-winning identity around elite defense and a Hall of Fame-led roster that defined the franchise’s golden era. In the 1970 NBA Finals, Reed was the emotional leader and league MVP during the season, while also earning NBA Finals MVP honors for his iconic Game 7 performance despite a severe injury.

Frazier delivered one of the greatest Finals games in history with 36 points, 19 assists, and 7 rebounds in the clincher against the Los Angeles Lakers, while DeBusschere anchored the physical presence that controlled the series.

By the 1973 championship, they returned with the same core, strengthened by the addition of Earl Monroe, creating a deeper offensive unit to complement their identity. Reed once again led the team and was named Finals MVP. In 2026, Brunson put the Knicks on his back, especially in the NBA Finals.

Jalen Brunson made the All-NBA Second Team, something he’s done in the last three seasons now. He will share that recognition with Cavs rival Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Brown, Kawhi Leonard, and Kevin Durant. Elite company for an elite player.

Brunson finished as the last player selected with 49 second-team votes and 50 third-team votes. One voter left him off the ballot entirely. However, that might cause him to have a chip on his shoulder, with the Cavs suffering the consequences in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Brunson has been amazing in the NBA Playoffs

The Knicks have won 10 playoff games in a row. Not only that, Brunson has been at the center of the team’s success. For instance, in the three games of the ‘Knickerbombers‘ against the Cavaliers, Brunson is averaging 29 points and 8.7 assists per game.

The Knicks need Brunson, and Brunson needs the Knicks, that’s why everything has worked so well since he arrived from the Mavs. Now, he is focusing on get the Knicks their first NBA Championship since 1973. That would clearly put him as a team legend and might mean his No.11 jersey gets put in the rafters once he retires.

Who made the All-NBA First-Team over Brunson?

All five players that are in the All-NBA First-Team over Brunson received MVP votes. Hence, it’s understandable that they made the team over the Knicks’ PG. Those players are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC), Cade Cunningham (DET), Luka Doncic (LAL), Victor Wembanyama (SAS), and Nikola Jokic (DEN).

It’s worth noting four of the five players play in the Western Conference. Hence, the only player “over” Brunson in the Eastern Conference was Cade Cunningham. The Pistons player had a massive regular season, though he fell to the Cavs in the EC Semifinals in seven games.

Brunson has been ruled out for tonight’s contest with a right ankle sprain, according to the official NBA injury report. It is a significant blow for a Knicks squad coming off a 112-101 loss to the Kings and in desperate need of a win amid a stretch of inconsistent play.

The Knicks guard sustained the injury during the first quarter of that game, appearing to roll his ankle on a misstep. Brunson headed straight to the locker room and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the half.

While the severity of the injury remains unclear, his day-to-day status suggests it may not be a long-term issue. Regardless, the franchise is unlikely to take any risks with their star player, especially as the team navigates a period of inconsistent form.

Who steps up in Brunson’s absence?

When Brunson is on the floor, there is no question that he takes the Knicks‘ game to the next level. However, in his absence, others must step up to fill the significant void left by the star guard. Jalen is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 28.2 points per game along with 6.1 assists through 37 games this season.

Karl-Anthony Towns is tasked with becoming the primary scoring option while Brunson is sidelined. The Dominican big man is averaging 21.0 points and has been a dominant force in the paint, pulling down 11.2 rebounds across his 37 appearances with the Knicks.

But the responsibility won’t fall solely on Towns. Playmaking duties will be distributed among Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby, while Miles McBride—who is likely to start tonight—will need to have his three-point shot locked in to emulate the impact of the franchise’s best player.

According to the latest official NBA injury report, the Knicks have listed Jalen Brunson as available to play in tonight’s matchup in Orlando.

The Knicks’ leader suffered a Grade 1 right ankle sprain in a 124-107 home loss to the Magic on November 12th, causing him to miss two games, a stretch where his team went 1-1 against the Heat.

Brunson returned to pilot the Knicks to their first road victory of the season, defeating the Mavericks 113-111. He was the game’s top scorer with 28 points, along with three rebounds and five assists.

The Knicks will not want to rush their star’s recovery, although the fact that they have upgraded him to probable is a good sign, as he was initially listed as questionable. Brunson is crucial for the Knicks, averaging 28.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.4 assists through 14 games this season.

Injury report of both teams

The Knicks appear to be arriving healthier than the Magic, with only OG Anunoby (left hamstring strain) ruled out for this game. Brunson’s final availability will be a game-time decision based on his health.

Meanwhile, Orlando head coach Jamahl Mosley will be without star Paolo Banchero (left groin strain) and Moritz Wagner (left knee injury recovery), who are both ruled out for this matchup.

Mike Brown knows having his full roster available will be key for this stretch of the season, making Brunson’s presence on the court a top priority. According to the latest injury report on the NBA’s official website, the point guard has been listed as questionable, leaving his availability for the Dallas game still in doubt.

One of the Knicks’ top stars in recent times has missed the team’s last two games with a Grade 1 ankle sprain, an injury that troubled him throughout last season in New York.

So far this season, the Knicks have yet to win a game on the road, making their matchup against the Mavericks an intriguing opportunity to snap this unfortunate streak.

Brunson’s impact on the Knicks’ structure

Jalen Brunson’s presence has been nothing short of transformative for the New York Knicks this season, establishing him as the indispensable centerpiece of the offense. Averaging elite numbers in scoring (approx. 28.0 PPG) and playmaking (approx. 6.5 APG), Brunson provides the team with a reliable, self-creating scorer who can carry the load when the game slows down.

His ability to carve up defenses, whether through the pick-and-roll or in isolation, has dramatically increased the team’s offensive efficiency. More than just statistics, Brunson functions as the conductor and emotional leader, setting a winning tone that has allowed the Knicks to remain a formidable contender in the Eastern Conference, a distinction proven by their significantly better winning percentage when he is on the floor.

What’s next for the Knicks?

Following their tough matchup against Dallas, the New York Knicks embark on a critical three-game road trip that will test their consistency and depth. This challenging stretch sees them face three Eastern Conference opponents, starting with the resilient Orlando Magic, who pose a significant defensive threat on their home court.

Then they head to Brooklyn for a renewed rivalry game against the Nets, always a physical battle, before wrapping up the trip against the fast-paced Charlotte Hornets. Securing victories during this time, especially without the benefit of playing at Madison Square Garden, is vital for the Knicks to solidify their standing in the East and maintain the momentum generated by Jalen Brunson’s stellar play.

The Knicks enter the game after back-to-back wins over the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi as part of the NBA Global Games. Brunson started both contests, averaging around 17 minutes per game, and is expected to start again tonight against Minnesota.

On the Timberwolves’ side, they opened the preseason with a win over the Nuggets before falling in overtime to the Pacers, with Edwards starting only in the second game.

For tonight’s matchup against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Edwards is expected to be in the starting lineup alongside Mike Conley, Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Rudy Gobert.

Josh Hart doubtful for tonight’s game

New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown remains uncertain about Josh Hart’s availability for tonight’s game. According to Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News, Hart has missed the past two practices due to illness and may be forced to sit out against the Timberwolves.

Adding to the concern, Brown admitted he isn’t sure whether Hart has fully recovered from his back issues, leaving open the possibility that he’ll miss another game. “I’m not sure if Hart’s back issue has fully cleared up,” Brown said.

As Andrew Crane of the New York Post reported, Brown plans to slightly increase the workload for his starters as the preseason winds down. If Hart remains sidelined, Mitchell Robinson could be part of the starting lineup in the Knicks’ season opener.