Jalen Brunson credited his teammates for their pivotal roles in the New York Knicks’ 124-113 comeback victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup final at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday.
Reflecting on Tyler Kolek’s contributions, Brunson said, “I’m very happy for him…just very happy for him and the way he played tonight. Helped us for sure. So we needed him. He works so hard. This is big time for him.”
On the significance of winning the NBA Cup, Brunson described it as an “important stepping stone” for the team. “It’s a goal of ours that we get to check off…and we can still learn from this game and get better as well,” he said.
The Knicks erased a second-half deficit thanks to key performances from Brunson and OG Anunoby, who combined for 53 points. Brunson added, “Through the ups and downs of the game…we found a way to win.”
Brunson emphasized the team’s resilience. “We’re going to find a way to win. We’re not going to quit…The game may be ugly, but we’re going to impact it and find a way,” he said, highlighting the bench’s role in the fourth-quarter turnaround.
Acknowledging the support of his teammates, Brunson said, “I don’t hold that trophy. We don’t hold the trophy as a team…It’s important for me to give props to the guys who compete and help us win, especially if it’s not on the stat sheet.”
He also praised head coach Mike Brown’s trust and the team’s willingness to experiment. “It shows the confidence and trust Mike has in us to figure it out…He’s not afraid to fail, and that mindset allows us to continue to fight and not worry about the result,” Brunson said.
Brunson pointed to the confidence gained from teammate performances. “When you have guys step up and take up the slack…it gives even more confidence…that excites me more than anything,” he said.
On the fans’ impact, Brunson noted, “Knicks fans travel, they’re everywhere…they support you through thick and thin and they tell you the real.”
Regarding the championship’s meaning for New York, Brunson said, “I think it’s good that we won this. Our fans are always going to support us through thick and thin…we’ll enjoy this now, but once we leave tomorrow, we’re moving on.”
New York dominated the boards 59-42 and scored 56 points in the paint, with Mitchell Robinson collecting 15 rebounds in just 18 minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns added 16 points and 11 rebounds despite a calf issue. San Antonio led for much of the first three quarters, but a decisive 13-1 run in the late third quarter turned the game in New York’s favor.
