Mark Messier sends heartfelt praise for Knicks’ Jalen Brunson after NBA Finals

For the first time since 1973, the New York Knicks captured the NBA championship, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals in six games and have finally reached the mountaintop.

Capturing the honor of NBA Finals MVP was Jalen Brunson, who was named the unanimous selection among all 11 voters after he helped seal the victory by scoring points in the Knicks’ 94-90 championship-clinching win at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Saturday evening.

It’s the first championship by the Knicks in 53 years, a drought that former New York Rangers captain Mark Messier knows something about breaking. In 1994, Messier captained the Rangers to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup victory in 54 years, a drought that stretched back to 1940. Ahead of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, Messier gave a special shout-out to both Brunson and the Knicks.

“What a playoff he had. You think about players who will their teams to win, he did that throughout this series,” Messier said via Sportscenter on X. “When they were down at certain times, he just kept playing with those unbelievable baskets. He took the team on his back in the fourth quarter. 53 years, it brings back so many memories. You don’t do it alone, obviously, you know. They’re a great team, they’re an easy team to cheer for. They play for each other, they played unselfishly. Congratulations to the New York Knicks, unbelievable.”

Just like Messier did, Brunson wears jersey No. 11 and has now elevated his status among the all-time great New York athletes who have led their respective clubs to championships.

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