Jalen Brunson is a New Jersey native who was considered too small to lead a team to an NBA championship, so the New York Knicks superstar point guard does not need any extra motivation during these Finals. He knows what is at stake. The franchise and city have not celebrated a title since the Richard Nixon Administration. Though, it is not just individual and team immortality that is up for grabs. Brunson has the special opportunity to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy alongside his father.
Knicks assistant and former NBA player Rick Brunson may be a polarizing figure, but his son is endlessly grateful for all the time they have gotten to spend together over the last four years. With Father's Day less than two weeks away, the three-time All-NBA selection shared some insight into the Brunson duo's dynamic.
“Our family relationship is awesome,” he said, per the Oh No He Didn't X account. “I know when to decipher when he's being a coach and when he's being a dad. When we're on the court, that's coach. I still call him dad, but he's a coach then. As soon as we get off the court, that's obviously my father. Our relationship is very unique. It's interesting how people perceive that, perceive us.
“I wouldn't change anything for the world. My dad being a journeyman in the NBA, us living in South Jersey most of my childhood while he played. So being able to see my dad for the last four years consecutively is probably the longest it's ever been. I don't take this for granted at all. I love this relationship and this opportunity. I don't take it for granted.”
With father's day coming up, here was Jalen talking about his dad:
"Our family relationship is awesome. I know when to decipher when he's being a coach and when he's being a dad. When we're on the court, that's coach. I still call him dad, but he's a coach then. As soon as we… pic.twitter.com/fOnCyi1J1d
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) June 9, 2026
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One can hear how devoted Jalen Brunson is to his father, and the same can be said when Rick Brunson rushes to defend his son after a tense on-court exchange. Although they have taken different trajectories during their respective NBA careers, these two men can relate to one another in a distinct way. That will be especially true if the Knicks win their first championship since 1973.
Brunson is averaging 27.3 points, 4.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 4.3 turnovers while shooting 37.0 percent through the first three games of the 2026 NBA Finals. The Eastern Conference Finals MVP knows he will have to raise his level if New York is going to vanquish the San Antonio Spurs, and in order to do that, he must get himself mentally prepared for a massive Game 4 showdown in Madison Square Garden.
His father will surely play a key role in that process. The action tips off at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
Jalen Brunson is a New Jersey native who was considered too small to lead a team to an NBA championship, so the New York Knicks superstar point guard does not need any extra motivation during these Finals. He knows what is at stake. The franchise and city have not celebrated a title since the Richard Nixon Administration.