Jalen Brunson Reflects on His Growth Amid Luka Doncic's Stardom

Jalen Brunson has propelled the New York Knicks to the NBA Finals, showcasing his talent during an impressive 11-game winning streak, which included consecutive sweeps over the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers. His standout performances throughout the playoffs have garnered attention and admiration from fans, analysts, and critics alike, especially after his pivotal role in a fourth-quarter comeback during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers. As he approaches his first championship series, Brunson's confidence has significantly grown.

However, Brunson revealed that his journey to self-assurance wasn't always smooth, particularly during his tenure with the Dallas Mavericks, where he played alongside basketball phenom Luka Doncic. Reflecting on his rookie year, Brunson stated, “The only time is probably my rookie year … playing pickup with the team in Dallas and then obviously watching Luka doing his thing so effortlessly. That was probably the only time, and it made me kind of question myself to see how hard I actually had to work to be in the position that I wanted to be in.”

Drafted by the Mavericks as the 33rd overall pick, Brunson spent four seasons there, steadily improving his performance. After joining the Knicks as a free agent in July 2022, he continued to excel, earning his first NBA All-Star selection in 2024 and two additional selections in the following years. He recently helped lead the Knicks to an NBA Cup Championship in Las Vegas, where he also claimed the NBA Cup MVP title. Now, he is set to compete against the Spurs for the NBA Championship.

In the ongoing 2026 NBA Playoffs, Brunson has been averaging an impressive 26.9 points, 6.6 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game, with a field goal percentage of 48.6. Should the Knicks secure the championship, Brunson's contributions will be crucial, potentially earning him the Finals MVP award along with a coveted championship ring. This accomplishment would come ahead of Doncic, who previously reached the Finals with the Mavericks but fell short against the Boston Celtics.

Brunson and the Knicks are set to begin their Finals matchup against the Spurs on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET.