The magical 2026 season has been completed for the New York Knicks, led by superstar guard Jalen Brunson. After back-to-back sweeps the Knicks had a tough task ahead as they faced off against Victor Wembanyama and the young, hungry San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs had just shocked the NBA world after beating the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in a Game 7 road matchup. So, coming into the series with New York, it was expected to be a war. However, head coach Mike Brown had other plans. He rallied the troops and found the perfect game plan to shut down Wembanyama in just five games, winning the series 4-1.
The Knicks had a rollercoaster of a season, with many high points and rough patches, but head coach Mike Brown unlocked a new level of chemistry this postseason. The Knicks went on a 13-game win streak during their title run and had the greatest point differential in NBA history for a playoff team. Surpassing the 2017 Golden State Warriors superteam.
We’ve learned a lot about this team throughout the playoffs. Such as Jalen Brunson has already become a top-three Knick of all time, trading for Mikal Bridges was an incredible move, and Karl-Anthony Towns defense has evolved, which resulted in the best basketball of his career.
Unfortunately, after clinching the Finals, the Knicks got some tough news regarding star center Mitchell Robinson. Reports came out stating that Robinson suffered a broken right pinky finger which required immediate surgery, leaving his availability for the NBA Finals in question. However, Mitchell Robinson toughed it out for the entirety of the serie, proving his hunger and grit for this franchise since he has been the longest tenured player on the roster after being drafted back in 2018. There is no one more deserving of this ring than Robinson.
It has been a long time coming for Knicks fans, as the 53-year championship drought has ended. There is no fanbase more deserving than us, as we have experienced rock-bottom lows and thrilling highs. But now, the time has come to claim the crown as the new NBA Champions.
None of this would have been possible without Jalen Brunson’s historic pay cut. Back in 2024, when Jalen was eligible for a massive contract extension, he left $113 million on the table in order to improve the team around him in hopes of a championship. Ultimately, it worked out. Brunson went on to have one of the most historic playoff runs by any player in NBA history, leading to his first championship ring and NBA Finals MVP award.