NBA FINALS: KNICKS VS. SPURS

June 13, 2026

Jalen Brunson

New York Knicks

Game 5: Postgame

New York Knicks 94, San Antonio Spurs 90

Q. You have, for years, said you're just worried about the next day, you're just worried about the next thing, take it one game at a time, however you say it. You can't possibly say that right now. What does it feel like having that mentality throughout your whole life, and then having this bubble burst like this?

JALEN BRUNSON: Words can't describe it but I'll say I put a lot of time and effort into trying to be the best player I can be to try and help a team win. Just really thankful to have the organization, the coaching staff, my teammates, to have my back every single day. I think that means the most to me. And my family.

Q. Between the final buzzer and now, have you cried at all?

JALEN BRUNSON: Yes.

Q. What was the emotion that got you?

JALEN BRUNSON: It was good. The final buzzer, I walked right to halfcourt, shook Mitch Johnson's hand, and then turned around and my dad was there, and felt emotional from that point on. Then I just remember Josh talking into my ear, and him just saying, like, "We did it! We did it!"

And then I was emotional for a good, like, five, 10 minutes, and then the excitement started to kick in.

Q. Second round pick, being doubted, and now you're the best player on one of the best playoff teams in NBA history. What does that mean to you individually?

JALEN BRUNSON: It hasn't sunk in but I honestly, I don't -- I honestly don't know right now. I don't know.

I'm just thankful for the opportunity and just thankful this opportunity presented itself, and we were able to get it done.

Q. Forgive me if you were asked about this earlier but it could be argued that you made a $113 million bet on this happening. When you made that choice, and allowed this franchise that sort of flexibility, how possible did you think a night like this was?

JALEN BRUNSON: Very possible. With a lot of hard work and effort, I knew it was achievable.

But that was only a small portion of it. I think everyone bonding, coming together, having the mindset of just believing in each other, never giving up, no matter what the situation was, made this all possible.

But yes, it may look like it had something to do with it but it's a credit to my teammates.

Q. You won in college. Obviously winning here. What was it about this group, do you think, that allowed it to break through?

JALEN BRUNSON: Honestly, tonight, we played like we wanted to go home champions, to finish the game, not to start the game, to finish the game.

Yeah. It means the world to me, to go on that court with those guys, whatever environment we're in, home or away, doesn't matter for us.

Q. The team collectively really struggled offensively in the early going of the game, and then it seemed like you just kind of decided that you were going to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and carry it over the finish line. Eleven players in NBA history have a 45-point game in the NBA Finals and you're one of them. What did it take to get that done tonight?

JALEN BRUNSON: Everything. I was just trying to go out there, just will us to win. Wasn't focused on anything else besides trying to win the game. Getting stops. Getting out and running. Just figuring out how to cut that lead or to gain it when we got it.

Really exciting moment knowing we won't give up.

Q. Congratulations on becoming a champion at the NBA level. You took that shot over Wemby, landed on his foot, could have been whatever. Looked like it hurt in the moment but no one had any doubt that you would be coming back into the game, just like all the other times that you get banged up and come right back. Just where does that pain tolerance come from and how much does it mean to you to play through that?

JALEN BRUNSON: I'm hurting right now, I'm not going to lie to you. I'm hurting right now.

But like I said before, the opportunity presented itself. Whatever you've got to do.

Q. Obviously Leon put a lot of faith in you to be the No. 1 guy. What did that mean to you, that faith, and was there pressure that came along with it? Can you describe kind of that dynamic?

JALEN BRUNSON: No pressure. No pressure whatsoever. I've described pressure in the past. My dad being on eight or nine unguaranteed contracts throughout his career and not knowing when you're going to get cut, when a team is going to move on from you, while you're family is on the East Coast and you are wherever you are in the country. That's pressure.

Working out three times a day in the summertime and watching him push himself just to get a training camp deal, that's pressure.

I'm very fortunate to be in the position I am, and I definitely think I worked pretty hard, and so when the opportunity presented itself like it did today, I just trust my work. And if we win, we win. If we don't, we learn, we move forward. But I'm just never afraid to fail.

Q. Tell us just how hard this was. It took everything, man. I mean, they came at you in waves. Four of these guys just switching on you the whole game. Talk about how that took a toll on you mentally and physically and how you dragged it over the line?

JALEN BRUNSON: I don't think it took a toll on me mentally, maybe a little bit physically, obviously, just because of the game and what they are trying to do.

Mentally, I feel fresh. I feel like that's where I thrive. But you've got to give them credit. That's a hell of a group. That's a well-coached -- the culture that they have is clearly evident. They have it. And so a lot of respect to them and what they brought to the table.

I'm just happy were able to find ways to win four games.

Q. Every championship that you've won has been won in Texas. The first one at Villanova in Houston and the second one in San Antonio, and now this one here in San Antonio. What do you have against Texas, and how special is it for you to be able to win this title with Mikal and Josh?

JALEN BRUNSON: I have nothing against Texas. I love Texas. I miss the Texas taxes.

Being able to win with Mikal and Josh, it's a great feeling. It's truly a great feeling knowing that I got to meet them at a young age and we were able to grow as friends, as teammates in college and be able to achieve something in college, and then to be able to do this at this level is just as special, maybe a little more special.

But yeah it's an incredible feeling.

Q. Now that you're an NBA Champion, what's your message for people saying that you're not a 1A guy?

JALEN BRUNSON: I didn't respond to them then and I'm damn sure not going to respond to them now.