Jalen Brunson added two ESPY Awards to his collection on Tuesday, receiving honors for Best NBA Player and Best Championship Performance. The New York Knicks guard accepted the awards at the ceremony held at the David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center, New York.
Brunson secured the Best NBA Player award, beating out competitors from other sports, including U.S. hockey players Aerin Frankel and Connor Hellebuyck, and Texas softball player Teagan Kavan. He was accompanied by his wife, Ali Marks Brunson, at the event.
During his acceptance speech, Brunson expressed gratitude to his family for their sacrifices, as well as to the Knicks organization, owner Jim Dolan, president Leon Rose, the front office, coach Mike Brown, and his teammates. "Without them, none of this would be possible; they allow me to be me. I’m forever indebted to them," he stated.
The accolades follow Brunson's pivotal role in leading the Knicks to their first NBA championship in 53 years. In the NBA Finals against the Spurs, Brunson averaged over 30 points per game, scoring 36 in a Game 4 comeback and 45 in the series-clinching Game 5 on the road in San Antonio.
Brunson revealed that he played through significant pain in his left hand and wrist during the latter stages of the playoffs, an issue that required surgery on July 7. He described experiencing weakness in his wrist during the Eastern Conference Finals and focused on overcoming the discomfort to continue playing.