Becky Hammon Doubles Down on Jalen Brunson Comments with Knicks in NBA Finals
New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson was named the 2026 Eastern Conference finals MVP, winning the Larry Bird Trophy on Monday. Brunson led the team to complete the sweep against the Cleveland Cavaliers and advance to the NBA Finals. It's the first time that the Knicks have reached the Finals since 1999.
Against the Cavaliers, Brunson averaged 25.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists on 48.7% shooting. He was the best player of the series for the Knicks and was the only player to average at least 20 points.
Despite leading the team to the Finals, however, Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon still believes in what she said about Brunson in 2023.
On Tuesday, Hammon was asked about what she'd like to say to Knicks fans now that the team reached the Finals. They were eager to know about her thoughts on what she said in 2023 about Beunson being "too small" to lead the team to a championship.
"I speak from experience," Hammon said Tuesday. "Allen Iverson got MVP, and he lost in the finals. I think the two best teams are probably in the West, but I'm up for being proven wrong. That's the other thing, I think Jalen Brunson's a hell of a player, a hell of a player. I'm speaking historically on the NBA with what I said. I don't know why everybody's so stuck on that. I said it two years ago.
Today I asked Becky Hammon what she'd like to say to Knicks fans, consider the hatchet buried.
— Darrell Harris (@Dhoopster_) May 26, 2026
Coach says there's NO air to clear & she thinks Brunson is a "helluva" player. But make no mistake about who she's pulling for this postseason.
: @8NewsNowpic.twitter.com/YWEAPv8VdA
"I said what I said. If he proves me wrong, he proves me wrong."
Over the past few seasons, Brunson has steadily improved as a leader, helping the Knicks' bid to win and compete for a championship. Now, they are four games away from being a champion, as they wait for which West team will face them in the Finals.
What Did Becky Hammon Say About Jalen Brunson?
Back in 2023, Hammon said on ESPN's NBA Today that the Knicks have shown promise. However, the Aces coach said that relying on Brunson to be their leader wouldn't be enough to lead them to a championship. According to her, only big stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid are the only ones who excel, except Stephen Curry.
"This is a game that, the big and bold, it favors that," Hammon said. "I love Jalen Brunson, but you're going to put him on the level of a 1A? You're putting him with Giannis, Embiid, Steph?"
After Hammon said that, Brunson has led the Knicks to back-to-back conference finals appearances. He has also been considered to be an MVP-caliber player for leading New York's success.
Related: Jalen Brunson's Honest Admission on Josh Hart Draws Laughs
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 10:39 PM.