Jalen Brunson sweeps three ESPYs as Knicks dominate 2026 awards

Jalen Brunson made it a clean sweep at the 2026 ESPYs on 18 June in New York City, collecting three awards in one night as the New York Knicks’ championship run dominated the basketball categories.

What happened at the 2026 ESPYs?

Comedian Marcello Hernández hosted the star-studded ceremony at Gotham Hall, honoring the year’s top athletic performances while raising money for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Brunson, the Knicks’ floor general, was nominated in three categories: Best Athlete-Men’s Sports, Best Championship Performance, and Best NBA Player. He took home every one. The Knicks also earned a Best Team nomination after beating the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the 2026 NBA Finals, ending the Spurs’ 53-year title drought.

On the women’s side, Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson repeated as Best Athlete-Women’s Sports and added Best WNBA Player for the second straight year. UCLA’s Lauren Betts claimed Best College Athlete-Women’s Sports. Bam Adebayo’s 83-point explosion in March earned him a Best Single-Game Performance nod, though the award went elsewhere.

Why it matters for Jalen Brunson

Brunson’s triple win underscores a career apex. At 26, he’s now the first player to sweep those three ESPY categories in the same year. The Knicks’ Finals run capped a season that vaulted him from All-Star to Finals MVP frontrunner. His clutch shooting and leadership powered New York past San Antonio in five games, sealing the franchise’s first Larry O’Brien Trophy.

The sweep also cements his place among the NBA’s elite narrative. Only a handful of players have claimed multiple ESPYs in a single night. Brunson joins that short list alongside LeBron James and Stephen Curry. His night wasn’t just hardware-it was validation of a season that reshaped expectations in the East.

What comes next for Brunson and the Knicks

The Knicks return to Manhattan with a fresh target on their back. Brunson’s contract status looms large this off-season, with extension talks expected to heat up. General manager Leon Rose now faces a pivotal decision: lock in the engine of the championship run or risk losing him for nothing. The Knicks’ core is locked in through at least next season, but the luxury-tax bill is already steep.

On the court, Brunson’s off-season focus will shift to recovery and refinement. He logged heavy minutes in the playoffs, including 42 in Game 5 against San Antonio. The Knicks’ medical staff will monitor load management closely as they eye a repeat Finals push. Meanwhile, the rest of the league is already studying Brunson’s Finals film-especially his step-back three and mid-range mastery-to build counter-strategies.

Full list of basketball winners

**NBA** - Best Championship Performance: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks - Best Athlete-Men’s Sports: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks - Best NBA Player: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks - Best Team: New York Knicks - Best Play: OG Anunoby, New York Knicks - Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors - Arthur Ashe Courage Award: Jason Collins

**WNBA** - Best WNBA Player: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces - Best Athlete-Women’s Sports: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces - Best College Athlete-Women’s Sports: Lauren Betts, UCLA Women’s Basketball