What happened: Jalen Brunson received the ESPY for Best Athlete, Men's Sports at Thursday's ceremony. The award follows a season that ended with the Knicks reaching the NBA Finals.

Why it matters: The honor recognizes Brunson's evolution into New York's top option during the franchise's deepest playoff run in decades. The Knicks also won the ESPY for Best Team, giving the organization multiple trophies from the ceremony.

What to watch: Brunson heads into the 2026-27 season as the Knicks' established leader after the Finals run.