The New York Knicks straight-up swept the 2026 ESPY Awards, hauling in every single trophy they were nominated for! But even as they celebrated, star Jalen Brunson gave fans a dose of reality about his surgically repaired left wrist, admitting it was "starting to feel weak" as far back as Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Talk about keeping it real, even after hitting the top.
Knicks Owned the ESPY Stage, Brunson Led the Charge
Talk about a clean sweep! Jalen Brunson wasn't just amazing on the court, he snagged Best Male Athlete, Best Championship Performance, and Best NBA Player. Our guy OG Anunoby got his moment too, taking home Best Play. And of course, the whole squad grabbed Best Team, making it a perfect night for the champs at the David H. Koch Theater. Brunson gave big shout-outs to his family, owner Jim Dolan, the entire Knicks organization including president Leon Rose and the front office, Mike Brown, and his teammates, saying none of it would be possible without them. OG thanked the "best fans in the world" for all their love and support, capping off an "amazing year and special moment for our team."The Rollercoaster: Champs to Surgery and Back Again
But let's get real about that wrist. Brunson revealed he doesn't remember a specific play where the injury happened, just that he was at the free-throw line in the third or fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals when his wrist started feeling weak. He's "good" now, but admitted it's "going to take a little bit of time" to get back to 100%. He called the whole experience a "rollercoaster." After winning the championship, everything was "up high," "amazing," the parade and all. Then, getting "back to real life," he knew surgery was best, which "brought me back down." But here's the kicker: he'd "do it all again" for that championship feeling. And winning in New York? He called it an "incredible feeling," saying being in the city made the experience "10 times better." That's our guy, right? So, the Knicks are champions, ESPY winners, and now we're watching Jalen Brunson heal up. His dedication to getting back on the court after surgery is clear, and knowing he'd go through it all again just proves how much that championship meant. The question now is how quickly he can get that wrist back to 100% and if the squad can keep that championship fire burning. We're definitely looking forward to seeing him back at full strength next season!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.