The New York Knicks are back home for Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals with a chance to wrap up the series against the San Antonio Spurs.
Despite having a 2-0 lead in the series, Jalen Brunson and the Knicks are trying to keep their focus ahead of Game 3.
“I do my best to stay present in the moment, to do the things I can to make sure my mind is right,” Brunson said. “Being mentally and physically ready every day. Trusting my work. That’s what’s gotten me here.”
The Knicks will have the opportunity to provide a sense of accomplishment for the franchise and fanbase with their first NBA Championship in 53 years.
Members of the Knicks and the Spurs spoke with the media during the off day on Sunday ahead of Game 3 to answer questions and provide their perspective on how the first two games of the series went.
Being back home in one of the country’s biggest media markets, the Knicks were faced with distractions, including those off-day media sessions.
Rappers Fat Joe and Jadakiss, who host a podcast together, were spotted in the back of the media room. Actor Ben Stiller was also present for the session. All three are notable Knicks fans who had also made the trip to San Antonio for the first two games of the series to support their team.
Fat Joe stood up during the session to joke with Knicks coach Mike Brown about the shoes he wears during the games.
While Brown was willing to embrace that moment, Brunson has tried to limit those distractions, remain focused on the task at hand, and avoid discounting his opponent.
“I think playing better with the lead that we had, the 14-point lead,” Brunson told the media. “The way (the Spurs) fought back and took the lead is just a credit to how good they are.”
While Brunson has played a key role in helping New York win 13 consecutive games entering Game 3 on Monday, he hasn’t officially gone off yet in the finals. The Spurs have centered their defensive game plan around limiting Brunson and playing physical against him. Brunson has been limited to just 34% shooting from the field through the first two games in the series. If that trend continues, it would be the worst playoff shooting performance in his career.
Even with his shooting woes, Brunson helped establish the pace early in Game 2, scoring eight of the Knicks’ first 13 points in the first quarter. Teammate OG Anunoby was responsible for scoring the other five points.
Brunson proved once again why he’d been named the Clutch Player of the Year in 2025. He swooped in during the final moments of the fourth quarter in Game 2 and stole the ball after Victor Wembanyama tossed the ball toward point guard Stephon Castle, who wasn’t looking.
Brunson would collide with Wembanyama and fall out of bounds with the ball. Wembanyama was called for a foul and Brunson was sent to the line, where he would make what became the eventual game-winning free throw after the game was tied at 104.
“Those are the moments that he lives for, especially in the fourth quarter,” Spurs guard Devin Vassell said about Bruson. “He is clutch; there isn’t much we can change because we are forcing him to take difficult shots (throughout the game).”
When do Knicks and Spurs play Game 3?
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Where: Madison Square Garden (New York)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jalen Brunson, Knicks fighting distractions ahead of Game 3 at MSG
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