What happened: Brunson finished 2025-26 as NBA Cup MVP, Eastern Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP, becoming the first player to win all three honors in one season.
Why it matters: The run delivered New York its first NBA championship in 53 years. Brunson enters the 2026-27 title defense following the most decorated season of his career.
By the numbers: Brunson averaged 26.0 points and 6.8 assists per game on 46.8% shooting in 2025-26, then raised his scoring average to 28.4 points in the playoffs.
What to watch: New York's offseason preparations now turn toward its 2026-27 championship defense.