Jalen Brunson cemented his legacy by leading the New York Knicks to their first championship in 53 years, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the 2026 NBA Finals.
One person who was locked into the playoffs despite not being able to suit up himself was Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic. He dealt with a hamstring injury that he suffered towards the end of the regular season that cost him an opportunity to suit up for the Lakers in the playoffs.
Doncic was still happy for his good friend and former teammates with the Dallas Mavericks though as in an interview with Drafteados, the Lakers star revealed what he was texting Brunson during the NBA Finals, as translated by Luka Updates:
Luka says Jalen Brunson is a winner on the court and great guy.
– Did you congratulate JB on his win?“Of course. Before the last game I said to him “One more” and then when he won I congratulated him and he texted me back, I thought he had a lot of messages”
YT/DrafteadosNBA pic.twitter.com/REPpHzbN1e
— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) June 16, 2026
Doncic and Brunson had a special connection when they played together to begin their NBA careers, but somehow the Dallas Mavericks managed to lose both in a span of three years.
As the Lakers look to build their roster around Doncic this offseason, they can take a page out of the Knicks’ book by adding two-way talent. That helped Brunson thrive and alleviate his weaknesses in the playoffs to win his first championship, which Doncic is looking to do with the Lakers.
Jalen Brunson discusses connection to Kobe Bryant
Brunson took his game and stardom to another level this postseason, and he discussed the role that Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his famous Mamba Mentality played in that.
“I haven’t watched anything recently,” Brunson said ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals. “I think the way I carry myself and the way I do things is a credit to how I was raised by my parents. But also part of the philosophy seeps into the Mamba Mentality as well, so there’s a connectivity there. I just do my best to stay present in the moment. To do the things that I can. To make sure my mind is right. Being mentally and physically ready every day. Trusting my work. That’s what’s got me here. So there’s connectivity about it, but no I have not watched.”
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