New York Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson has officially been named the 2026 Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.
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JALEN BRUNSON IS YOUR 2026 NBA FINALS MVP 🏆 pic.twitter.com/gPOPKhA5jj
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 14, 2026
Brunson took home the honor just moments after dropping a Knicks Finals record 45 points, leading the Knicks to a 94-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5.
He stood alongside his father and Knicks assistant Rick Brunson as he received the trophy.
“It’s everything we dreamed of. It’s why I came to New York,” he said on stage.
Across the five-game series, Brunson averaged a blistering 32.6 points, 4.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game. His numbers were impressive but his impact went even further.
He was the centerpiece of the Knicks’ historically good offense throughout their postseason run.
As the finals buzzer sounded and the championship was secured, he couldn’t put his feelings into words.
“I don’t know what I’m feeling. I’m in awe,” he said. “Whenever someone counted us out, we found a way to come back and do something about it.”
Brunson truly has been counted out his entire career, but the critics have no choice but to be quiet now as the Knicks are on top for the first time since 1973.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
