Jalen Brunson isn't done yet.
With the magnitude of what the New York Knicks accomplished by winning the franchise's first championship in 53 years and the dominance in which the achieved it, taking down the powerhouse San Antonio Spurs in five games and winning a NBA record 13-straight games to take them to the Finals in the first place, the Knicks would be forgiven for feeling comfortable in their success.
No one would have more grace in that area than Jalen Brunson, who led the Knicks to the championship and won Finals MVP on an injured wrist while delivering on the promise that his signing to New York in the first place made and in the process, dispelled so much doubt about who he is as a player and the Knicks as an organization.
But even as Brunson has been enjoying the months he's spent as the defending champion, he also isn't losing sight of the goals that he still has and as he revealed in a recent interview with the New York Post, he still feels like the same person and player that he's always been.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots as San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) defends during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesNot Satisfied
"I feel like there’s still a lot more to do and a lot more that I can prove. It’s 100 percent always going to be in the mind, I’m just not going to let it define me," Brunson said (via Jared Schwartz of New York Post).
Brunson's strengths as a player and the reason why he's been able to rise to such heights are largely to do with his mentality. He's been doubted, not just as a Knick but throughout his career, for being too small or or not possessing the requisite athletic talents to succeed in the NBA, and his drive to prove those doubts wrong have driven him to success.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) hugs Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) prior to the opening tip against the San Antonio Spurs in game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesStaying true to that mentality now is simply more evidence of who Brunson is. He isn't satisfied with just one instance of success. He will keep working striving to be the best version of himself at all times and do whatever he can to keep leading the Knicks to new triumphs.
The Work Keeps Going
That isn't to say that he hasn't let himself enjoy being a champion. But he won't let that satisfaction keep him in one place either.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) pose with the Larry O'Brien and Finals MVP trophies, respectively, during the championship trophy ceremony after game five of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesThat mindset is also something that's so crucial to have as an athlete. The Knicks are champions now, that's true, but soon a new season will be here and they'll have to be tested all over again.
The pursuit now isn't simply to be champions, but to be repeating champions, something that no one in the NBA has pulled off in close to a decade.
Brunson is ready to keep working, keep striving and keep trying to do more when the season arrives.
