What happened: Jalen Brunson has carried the New York Knicks to the NBA Finals, completing a series sweep to advance to the franchise's first Finals appearance in 27 years. SportsCenter spotlighted Brunson as the driving force behind the run.

Why it matters: The breakthrough ends one of the longest Finals droughts in the league for a marquee market, with the same Jalen Brunson who powered New York's earlier-round wins now four victories from a title. A Finals berth reshapes the championship picture and the Knicks' standing among contenders.

What to watch: Watch for the Finals opponent and schedule, plus how Brunson's workload holds up across the championship series.