Jalen Brunson didn't even wait for the main event to drop a bomb at the 2026 ESPY Awards. Before anyone hit the red carpet, the captain bagged "Best NBA Player" on NBA Today that afternoon. It's a huge deal, making him the first Knick to ever snag that award since the show started way back in 1993. Talk about kicking off a celebration before it even really started!
Brunson's Championship Glory Continues
But wait, there was more. Brunson wasn't done collecting hardware. He pulled off another massive win, picking up "Best Championship Performance." This guy beat out some serious talent, too, facing off against Team USA goaltenders Aerin Frankel and Connor Hellebuyck. Why'd he win? Because of his absolutely lights-out 45-point closeout in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. That's a performance that seals a championship, and it clearly resonated with everyone watching.NYC Owned The Night, From Red Carpet To Stage
The vibe in Manhattan was pure Knick mania. You could feel it in the heavily favorable crowd. The entire championship squad rolled deep, getting featured on the broadcast again and again. Honestly, it felt like a Knick was in every single shot of the crowd! We saw Jalen Brunson and his wife Ali, Miles McBride with girlfriend Zortea, and Karl-Anthony Towns alongside Jordyn Woods strutting the red carpet. Inside, the camera caught everyone: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Jose Alvarado, Jordan Clarkson, Rick Brunson, Tyler Kolek, and Trey Jemison. The only guy missing was Landry, who's apparently off getting engaged in Europe. OG Anunoby even took home some gold himself, accepting the "Best Play" award onstage. This wasn't just an awards show; it was a victory lap for the NBA champions. Normally, the ESPYs are just a reminder of plays that sting and losses that haunt you. But this year? This was all about the Knicks. It was a pure night of celebration for the champs. What an incredible way for the team to be recognized, cementing their place as NBA champions. The rest of the league just got another reminder of who's on top.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.