As noted, New York Knicks superfan Spike Lee said in one of the Nike commercials he directed in 1988, starring Michael Jordan, “it’s gotta be the shoes.”
Even Mars Blackmon, who was played by Lee in the spot, has to admit that Knicks guard Jalen Brunson changing his sneakers at halftime worked wonders in the second half of Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.
Brunson started the game wearing Nike Kobe 3s and had 11 points at halftime on a dreadful 5-for-15 shooting.
The 2025 Clutch Player of the Year came out of the locker room sporting Nike Kobe 6s, but it didn’t pay immediate dividends. Brunson was still throwing up bricks in the third quarter with a 2-for-7 performance.
But in the last eight minutes of the game, Brunson took over, scoring 13 of his game-high 30 points in that time span as the Knicks snatched home court advantage from San Antonio. Game 2 is Friday, June 5.
Guess it was the shoes.
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
San Antonio hosted Game 1 of the NBA Finals as Knicks fans made their presence felt on the road.
See the familiar faces supporting New York during the opening game of the series.
Above, American actor and comedian Ben Stiller reacts during Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
San Antonio hosted Game 1 of the NBA Finals as Knicks fans made their presence felt on the road.
See the familiar faces supporting New York during the opening game of the series.
Above, American actor and comedian Ben Stiller reacts during Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
Director Spike Lee looks on during the first quarter between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks during Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
Actor Tracy Morgan in the first half during Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
Former New York Knicks Patrick Ewing reacts before Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
(Scott Wachter, Imagn Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
Former NBA player, Shaquille O’Neal enters the arena for Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
(Daniel Dunn, Imagn Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
American actor and comedian Ben Stiller reacts during Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
Spike Lee participates in the ESPN pre-game show before Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
American comedian and actor Tracy Morgan participates in the ESPN pre-game show before Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center on June 3, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
“Just continue to trust the things I’ve worked on my entire life,” Brunson said after the game. “I think my teammates have the confidence in me, also gives me an extra boost, as well. I think it starts with my confidence. It comes with my work ethic. I think most importantly, knowing we’re on the road, and knowing my teammates have my back, I think that’s the biggest thing in an environment like this.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jalen Brunson stats before, after changing shoes at halftime
