Lonzo Ball’s Bold Claim: Jalen Brunson as the Best New York Knick Ever

Lonzo Ball has experienced ups and downs in his NBA career. As a seasoned guard, he has a strong understanding of what success requires at his position, which led him to make a notable statement about Jalen Brunson, a rising star in the league.

Ball, who last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, described Brunson as “the best Knick to do it…like ever” in a statement on X. This comment followed Brunson’s stellar performance, scoring 30 points to secure a 105-95 victory for the New York Knicks against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson moves after scoring a basket against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio on June 3, 2026. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)

The last encounter between Ball and Brunson occurred on Christmas Day in New York. In that game, Brunson was the leading scorer for the Knicks with a close 126-124 win over the Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Ball played off the bench, contributing with 14 minutes and one rebound.

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball stands on the court before a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 24, 2025. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)

Since joining the Knicks, Brunson’s reputation for performing well under pressure has grown. He played a vital role in leading the Knicks to their first NBA Finals appearance in over two decades. With their Game 1 win, the Knicks are just three victories away from ending a championship drought that has lasted more than fifty years.

The New York Knicks have a rich history, albeit with limited recent success. Hall of Famers like Willis Reed, Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, and Charles Oakley have been integral to the franchise’s storied past. Should Brunson guide the Knicks to a championship, his standing within the team’s legacy could see a pronounced elevation.

Jalen Brunson attacks the basket during the Knicks’ 105-95 Game 1 victory over the Spurs in the NBA Finals (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)

Brunson endured a brief injury concern in Game 1 but soon returned to the game. Near its end, ongoing interactions with unidentified courtside fans seemed to frustrate him during OG Anunoby’s free throw attempts. Reports from ESPN indicated that the NBA has initiated an investigation into the incident.

Game 2 will commence in San Antonio on Friday night before the series relocates to New York for Game 3 next week.

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