Jalen Brunson gives insight into his mindset as he tries to lead the New York Knicks to a championship
The New York Knicks came into the season with high expectations after making the Eastern Conference Finals and replacing head coach Tom Thibodeau with Mike Brown.
The Knicks had continuity coming into the season as well, returning all five starters one year after making a blockbuster trade for Karl-Anthony Towns just days before training camps opened.
Speaking to NBA TV during All-Star weekend, Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson explained his mindset for the season.
"It was more about proving myself that I belong, versus proving people wrong. I want to prove that this is where I'm supposed to be and no matter what happens, I'm not afraid to fail," he said.
Great Expectations
With the Indiana Pacers losing Tyrese Haliburton for the season and the Boston Celtics not expected to have Jayson Tatum for the majority of the season, the Knicks were the favorites to come out of the East.
They still had competition from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were the best team in the East last season but faltered in the playoffs, and the Detroit Pistons, though their core had yet to win a playoff series.
After 33 games, the Knicks were 23-10 and had won the NBA Cup by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the finals of the in-season tournament. Things were looking promising going into 2026, but things took a turn with the new year.
They lost eight out of ten to start the year, including losses to Atlanta, Portland, Sacramento, and Dallas.
Momentum Going Into The Break
In a "get right" game against the Brooklyn Nets, the Knicks won 120-66 and have since won ten of their last 12 going into the break. Their only two losses were a blowout loss to the Pistons when they were shorthanded and an overtime loss to the Pacers.
Along with building momentum before the All-Star break, the team didn't sit idly by, adding two-way menace Jose Alvarado and utility player Jeremy Sochan to the depth chart.
Brunson's play began to falter a bit in January, but he's putting together another year that will have some fans putting him in the MVP conversation.
In 50 games, he's averaging 27 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists while shooting 47% from the field, 37% from three, and 84% from the line.
He's made his third-straight All-Star, and gave the Knicks an extra victory on All-Star Saturday when he teamed with Towns and Knicks legend Allan Houston.