Jun 5, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) and forward Og Anunoby (8) react after game two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
NEW YORK — Less than two hours before tip-off of Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown continued to beat the drum that his superstar point guard, Jalen Brunson, deserved more MVP consideration this season.
Brunson is the leading man of a Knicks team that entered Monday night just two wins away from securing their first NBA title since 1973 after sweeping the first two games of the Finals in San Antonio. He gained second-team All-NBA honors after averaging 26 points and 6.8 assists per game this season, but did not land in the top 10 of the MVP voting.
“He did not get the attention that he deserved during the regular season,” Brown said. “I think he’s a top-three MVP candidate, and when it comes down to those things, his name wasn’t mentioned much.”
His stellar play has carried over into the playoffs, as his contributions have sparked New York’s dominant run through the Eastern Conference bracket. After losing Game 3 of the first round to the Atlanta Hawks, New York won the last three games of that series, then swept the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers before taking the first two games of these Finals against the Spurs.
Brunson is posting 26.6 points per game during this run, including 30 in Game 1 to spark a 14-point second-half comeback to shock San Antonio at Frost Bank Arena. He also scored his team’s final five points in their Game 2 win after squandering a 14-point lead of their own.
“Playing in the Finals, leading your team to first place in the regular season in either conference, that gives you more recognition,” Brown said. “So something like this should definitely help and help everybody wake up a little bit and understand what type of player he is and, just as importantly, what type of person he is.”
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Brown revealed that the Knicks stayed in a downtown hotel before Game 3 to avoid the logistical nightmare around Madison Square Garden created by President Donald Trump’s presence.
“I’ve never done that for a [home] game before,” Brown said. “But it’s easier because we’re practicing here.”
With an increased security presence, pedestrian and vehicular traffic was closed from West 30th St. to West 35th St. between 6th Ave. and 8th Ave. Only fans with tickets to the game were permitted within the zone, and lines to get into the arena spanned as far as three blocks long as early as 4:30 p.m. ET — roughly four hours before tip-off.
All fans were required to undergo Secret Service screening, which lengthened the process of getting into the arena even more.
For more on Jalen Brunson and the Knicks, visit AMNY.com
