Jalen Brunson crowned ‘King of New York’ by Eli Manning after NBA Finals MVP run

Jalen Brunson officially earned the nickname ‘King of New York’ on Saturday night, 19 Jul 2026, when Eli Manning: the two-time Super Bowl champion and Giants legend: crowned him the ‘Newest King of New York’ in a WWE promotional video aired at Madison Square Garden.

What happened at WWE’s Main Event?

Brunson stepped into the WWE ring at Madison Square Garden alongside Roman Reigns, marking his second wrestling appearance of the year. The event drew major New York sports figures, including Knicks teammate Karl-Anthony Towns, who teamed with Danhausen to defeat JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio. Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers guard, also made a surprise appearance, but Brunson left unscathed.

Why Eli Manning handed Brunson the crown

Manning’s two-minute tribute video highlighted New York’s greatest champions: from Babe Ruth to Derek Jeter to Willis Reed: before ending with Brunson. The Giants icon called him the ‘Newest King of New York,’ cementing Brunson’s place in the city’s sports pantheon. Brunson had just delivered the Knicks their first NBA title in 53 years, dropping 45 points in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

How Brunson balanced recovery and stardom

Brunson played through wrist surgery in July 2026, averaging 26.0 points, 6.8 assists, and 2.6 threes per game this season. He made his third straight All-Star and second All-NBA team, while his playoff scoring rose for a fifth straight year to 28.4 points per game. Despite the injury, he still found time for Fanatics Fest, the Time100 Sports Gala, and even a Yankees game.

What’s next for Jalen Brunson?

Brunson is expected to resume basketball activities this summer after left wrist surgery on 7 Jul 2026. With his star still rising, the ‘King of New York’ tag could soon translate from viral moment to lasting legacy.