The New York Knicks are two wins away from ending a 53-year championship drought, and now one of the loudest voices in the NBA is firing off a massive MVP claim that could shift the entire narrative of the postseason.
After a stunning pair of road wins against the San Antonio Spurs in Games 1 and 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals, Knicks head coach Mike Brown didn’t hold back when discussing his star guard, Jalen Brunson. In a post-practice media session ahead of Monday night’s Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, Brown reportedly told reporters that Brunson deserved far more consideration for this season’s MVP award — and he went as far as calling him a top-three candidate.
“He definitely has not or did not get the attention that he deserved during the regular season,” Brown said, according to sources close to the team. “I think he’s a top-three MVP candidate, and when it comes down to those things, his name wasn’t mentioned much.”
The timing of the comment appears deliberate. Brunson has been the engine of this Knicks run, but his shooting numbers in the Finals have been far from pretty — averaging 25 points, four rebounds, four assists, and 2.5 steals per game on just 33.9 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from three-point range. Yet despite those struggles, New York still managed to steal both games in San Antonio, leaving insiders buzzing about Brunson’s intangible impact.
‘He’s Been Slighted All Year’ — Insiders Say Brunson’s MVP Snub Fueled Playoff Fire
According to league sources, Brunson’s perceived lack of MVP recognition during the regular season has become a rallying point inside the Knicks locker room. One anonymous team insider told our reporters that Brunson “took the snub personally” and has been using it as motivation throughout the postseason.
“He’s not the loudest guy in the room, but he remembers everything,” the insider reportedly said. “When people leave him off those lists, it adds fuel. He’s not playing for votes — he’s playing for a ring.”
The Knicks haven’t hosted an NBA Finals game since 1999, and the energy inside the Garden is expected to be electric. Brown’s comments have only added to the drama, with fans and analysts now debating whether Brunson’s regular-season performance — which included career-high averages in scoring and assists — was truly overlooked.
What’s Next for Brunson and the Knicks?
With a 2-0 lead and home-court advantage, the Knicks are in the driver’s seat. But insiders say the Spurs are planning adjustments, especially on defense, to try to force Brunson into even tougher looks. If Brunson’s shooting doesn’t improve, New York could find themselves in a dogfight.
Game 4 is scheduled for June 10 at 8:30 p.m. ET, also at Madison Square Garden. A win there would put the Knicks within one victory of their first championship since 1973 — and would likely cement Brown’s MVP claim as one of the most prescient takes of the year.
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