Jalen Brunson Leads Knicks to First NBA Title as He Wins Best Championship Performance at 2026 ESPYs

The New York Knicks captured their first NBA championship since 1973, with point guard Jalen Brunson averaging 32.6 points, 4.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals in the Finals. Brunson was honored with the ESPY Award for Best Championship Performance and also received the NBA Finals MVP trophy. He disclosed that a wrist weakness first appeared during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, but he continued to play through the pain throughout the playoffs and the title run, later undergoing surgery.

Other notable ESPY winners included OG Anunoby, who earned Play of the Year for his decisive tip‑in in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, and Alyssa Liu, who took Best Breakthrough Athlete after winning Olympic gold in figure skating. Steph Curry received the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian award for his Eat, Learn, Play foundation. The ceremony introduced a new Best Tunnel Fit category, with finalists Lewis Hamilton and Naomi Osaka.

The 2026 ESPY Awards were hosted by SNL comedian Marcello Hernández at the David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center in New York. The red‑carpet featured celebrity couples such as Simone Biles & Jonathan Owens and Steph & Ayesha Curry, while golfer Kai Trump made a high‑profile appearance.

The event highlighted the intersection of athletic achievement, fashion and philanthropy, underscoring the Knicks’ historic season and the broader cultural impact of the awards.