Jalen Brunson draws NBA and Hollywood praise after Knicks title

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, who helped the team win its first NBA championship in 53 years and earned Finals MVP honors, has been in the public eye both on the court and off it. He attended actress Mariska Hargitay’s solo Broadway show “Every Brilliant Thing” at the Hudson Theatre, where a box onstage displayed his Knicks jersey and he received a standing ovation from the audience. After the performance Brunson and his wife visited Hargitay backstage, underscoring the friendship between the player and the “Law & Order: SVU” star.

Separately, NBA star Kevin Durant told the Wall Street Journal that Brunson should seize the moment, saying the championship gives the point guard a rare platform to become the face of the franchise and expand his opportunities beyond basketball.