Jalen and Rick Brunson Make NBA History as Father-Son Duo in Knicks' Championship Win
The New York Knicks' just won the NBA championship for the first time in more than 50 years, and their run has produced plenty of unforgettable moments. For Jalen Brunson and his father, Rick Brunson, it has also delivered a piece of NBA history.
Nearly three decades after Rick Brunson helped the Knicks reach the NBA Finals in 1999, his son led New York back to basketball's biggest stage. The achievement made the Brunsons the first father-son duo in NBA history to each reach the NBA Finals with the same franchise.
It's a full-circle moment that carries extra weight for Rick, who experienced the Finals as a player long before his son became one of the NBA's brightest stars.
Rick Brunson's Knicks History Goes Back to 1999
Before he became an assistant coach for the Knicks, Rick Brunson spent nearly a decade in the NBA as a player.
One of the most memorable stops of his career came in 1999, when he was part of the Knicks team that made a surprising run to the NBA Finals. New York ultimately fell to the San Antonio Spurs in five games, and the franchise didn't return to the Finals for nearly 30 years.
Now, Rick has had a front-row seat for the team's return to contention, this time with his son leading the way on the court.
"I remember like it was yesterday," Rick Brunson told ABC News during a recent interview alongside Jalen.
Reflecting on the 1999 Finals run, he added, "In '99, it was a great run for us, but I would say now it's more exciting for me as a father to see your son on the stage and performing."
JALEN BRUNSON RICK BRUNSON
— NBA (@NBA) June 14, 2026
THE BRUNSON FAM ARE NBA CHAMPIONS! pic.twitter.com/HWctQw9UIO
Watching His Son Reach the Highest Level
As impressive as Jalen Brunson's rise has been, Rick said he never imagined things would unfold quite like this.
"It's crazy to me," Rick said. "I never envisioned to this level. I just envisioned, like anyone who has children, you want success for them."
That success has exceeded even the loftiest expectations.
Jalen has developed into one of the NBA's premier guards and the face of the Knicks franchise. Along the way, he and his father have maintained a close relationship built on basketball, family, and years of hard work.
Their shared journey has become one of the most compelling stories of New York's championship run.
With Father's Day arriving this weekend, the Brunsons are celebrating something few families in sports history can claim. A father who once wore a Knicks uniform and a son who helped bring the franchise back to the Finals have now become part of the same chapter in team history.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 12:24 AM.