The New York Knicks are now just three wins away from an NBA Championship, their first since 1973. New York won a thrilling Game 1 of the NBA Finals last night against the San Antonio Spurs, and, of course, was led by their star guard Jalen Brunson. Brunson dealt with adversity early in the game, suffering knee and ankle injuries in the first half and struggling to shoot.
Brunson persevered, though, and despite an inefficient first three quarters, Brunson did what he always does in the fourth quarter: take the game over.
Advertisement
MORE: Mike Brown credits Rick Brunson with keeping Knicks poised in Game 1
13 of Brunson’s 30 points were scored in the fourth quarter. Including the two more important shots of the night, a corner three off an offensive rebound that Brunson helped create, and an extremely difficult mid-range jumper that sealed the win.
Where Jalen Brunson ranks in the NBA with a Championship
Jun 3, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half during game one of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Now, with a Game 1 victory and brilliant performance down the stretch, it feels appropriate to talk about some hypothetical big picture about where Brunson would stand amongst the NBA. The best-case scenario is pretty outstanding.
Advertisement
Jalen Brunson is inarguably a top 10 player in the world right now; there’s no question on that. With an NBA Championship as the catalyst for the first Knicks title since Ronald Regan was president, Brunson is a tier-one superstar and the best American Basketball player on the planet.
MORE: NBA enlists Michael Jordan in quest to end Charles Oakley’s Knicks ban
Advertisement
Jalen Brunson’s competition for best American player in the world
Oct 9, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) drives to the basket while defended by New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
There’s one American player who has a real argument to be ranked over Jalen Brunson at this moment. That’s Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards.
Edwards is a much more prominent rim finisher and two-way player. Jalen Brunson is just as effective a scorer. He’s shown time and again that, when it comes to thriving in the biggest moments, Brunson is the best in the league at answering the call and delivering, as he did last night.
The argument can easily be made that a team would prefer Anthony Edwards to Jalen Brunson strictly because of age and upside. However, if Brunson wins this title and wins Finals MVP, there is no reason to say he’s not the best American player in the world right now.
Where does the best American player rank overall? Well, right now the top four players in the world are clear cut, and in no specific order are Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, and Luka Doncic. Obviously, all those players were born internationally.
Jalen Brunson would slide into that fifth spot, an undeniable top-five player in the world, and the best American in the world.