New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) stands at the end of the court prior to the championship trophy celebration after game five of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center with Dirk Nowitzki in the background
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Before the 2026 Finals MVP Jalen Brunson led the New York Knicks to their first title in 53 years, he spent his rookie season playing alongside Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. Brunson is hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend, topping off an offseason victory lap that Nowitzki says is well deserved after New York's historic run.
Nowitzki reflected on Brunson's growth over the years, which he admits he didn't foresee blossoming into a Finals MVP-caliber run, he said, per The Stein Line's Marc Stein.
“I loved it for him. I love to watch his evolution. I gotta say, I was [skeptical] when he went to New York as the franchise player there in that market,” Nowitzki said. “He's a quiet guy–shy guy. To go to that media market, I was a little worried. But man, has he been unbelievable on and off the floor. Really carried his franchise. So well-deserved to win the championship; bring the championship back there after 50-something years. Finals MVP. It's been an incredible run. I gotta say didn't see that development coming from him.
“I knew he was super solid already in his rookie year. He's smart. He knows how to get to his spots. I could tell he had an unbelievable work ethic. Always in the gym shooting before and after practices, always trying to get better with our coaches, but I didn't think he was going to have a franchise-player type of ceiling and a Finals MVP. Super happy for him.”
Hall of Fame forward Dirk Nowitzki was in awe of Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson's approach.
“Just the footwork. The shiftiness and how he gets to his spots,” Nowitzki added. “It's been so much fun to watch him and follow him. We all know he's a great dude. So, we're all happy for him.”
Nowitzki added that he reached out to his former Mavericks teammate after the Knicks topped the San Antonio Spurs, 4-1, in the 2026 Finals.
“I just told him, ‘I'm super proud of you,' and it's well deserved,” Nowitzki said. “Enjoy this recognition. For a summer-long, you're the best, you're the best team, and there are a lot of accolades that come your way.”
The Knicks will begin their preseason against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 5.