Jalen Brunson's gamble on New York paid off in spectacular fashion as the Knicks captured their first championship since the Michael Jordan era. Brunson delivered a masterful 45-point performance in Game 5, shooting over 50% from the field and beyond the arc, joining an elite group with Jordan, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bob Pettit as one of only four players to score at least 45 points in a Finals closeout game.

The victory capped a remarkable journey for Brunson, who fell to the second round of the 2018 draft before proving himself as a cornerstone player. After Dallas lowballed him in free agency, he signed with New York in 2022 for $104m, a deal many critics deemed excessive. His decision to accept a $156.6m extension instead of potentially $269m showed remarkable foresight.

That financial sacrifice allowed New York to stay under the second apron and build a championship roster around him. The Knicks acquired Karl-Anthony Towns from Minnesota and traded for Mikal Bridges while retaining OG Anunoby, creating the supporting cast necessary for this historic run. Coach Mike Brown praised Brunson's selfless leadership that set the tone for everyone.

For Brunson, the decision was worth every penny. '100 per cent worth it,' he said. 'Even if we didn't achieve this, I feel like being able to do that and grind and go on a journey to try to achieve it would have been worth it as well.'