Jalen Brunson
January 2026
Brunson missed the final three quarters with a right ankle injury and was ruled out for the second half. He appeared to roll or give way on the ankle while dribbling early, went to the locker room, and did not return after being listed questionable.
Mike Brown, J.B. Bickerstaff
January 2026
A feature revisited the long relationship between Mike Brown and J.B. Bickerstaff, dating back to Brown babysitting Bickerstaff when he first entered the NBA as a video assistant. They meet in a matchup between top East teams. The connection evolved into mentorship and friendship over decades, rooted in Denver when Bernie Bickerstaff ran the Nuggets. The piece highlights how early trust and shared coaching obsession shaped both careers.
Victor Wembanyama
January 2026
Victor Wembanyama will miss another game due to left knee soreness after hyperextending the knee against New York. San Antonio ruled him out versus Portland, adding to his missed games total this season. The Spurs are giving him more recovery time after he avoided major damage on Wednesday. With the 65-game threshold for major awards in play, additional absences could affect eligibility if he approaches the maximum allowed missed games.
Victor Wembanyama
January 2026
Victor Wembanyama hyperextended his left knee in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks and briefly went to the locker room. He returned to the bench, watched a 134-132 win, and said he feels fine and expects no absence. Wembanyama said the injury being a hyperextension is a positive sign, described himself as sore but confident, and noted staff had to hold him back from re-entering. He walked without a limp when he returned, and is scheduled for further testing Thursday.
Jose Alvarado, Mark Williams
December 2025
Jose Alvarado was suspended two games without pay and Mark Williams one game without pay after an altercation in Suns vs Pelicans. Both were ejected after punches were thrown following a foul and shove sequence late in the third quarter. The conflict began with Alvarado committing a defensive foul and Williams responding with a shove, before escalation into a fight that led to technical fouls and ejections. The league assigned suspension dates tied to upcoming Pelicans and Suns fixtures immediately following the incident.
Evan Mobley
December 2025
Evan Mobley made a rapid return from a Grade 1 left calf strain to log 14 points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes during the Cavaliers’ narrow 126-124 loss to the Knicks, beating the original two-to-four-week recovery estimate. After progressing quickly through 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 in practice, the 23-year-old Defensive Player of the Year came off the bench, joining other recent returnees like Wembanyama and Williamson in easing back from injury as Cleveland tries to build momentum despite multiple starters sidelined.
Jalen Brunson
December 2025
Brunson produced another big-stage masterclass in the Cup final, controlling the game offensively and punishing San Antonio’s guards in isolation and pick-and-roll. His poise, shot creation and decision-making under pressure confirmed him as the tournament’s standout performer and earned him the NBA Cup MVP award. Logging heavy minutes and consistently tilting the floor in New York’s favour, Brunson outplayed a deep Spurs backcourt while still sharing credit with role players who delivered crucial contributions. His performance reinforced his status among the league’s elite offensive guards and showcased the leadership that now defines this Knicks era in knockout basketball.
Jalen Brunson
December 2025
Speaking post-game on Prime, Brunson admitted the final was “ugly” but said the Knicks’ focus and connection carried them through. Hart highlighted how recent adversity has toughened the group, with late-game stops and key buckets now seen as expected responses instead of surprises. Brunson publicly praised Anunoby, Kolek, Clarkson and Robinson for their impact, then distilled New York’s mindset into a simple motto: “We’re going to find a way.” Hart echoed that the squad’s growth under pressure is building long-term belief, with the Cup run viewed internally as a launchpad for deeper postseason ambitions.
Jalen Brunson, Victor Wembanyama
December 2025
With the Knicks and Spurs set to meet in the Emirates NBA Cup final, Jalen Brunson and Victor Wembanyama have emerged as the leading contenders for the competition’s inaugural MVP award, with one decisive performance likely to secure both the Cup and individual honours. The latest Cup MVP ladder highlights Brunson’s ruthless efficiency and string of high-scoring displays, plus Wembanyama’s game-changing impact off the bench on his return from injury, noting that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the only top candidate already eliminated before Tuesday’s showcase in Las Vegas.
Jalen Brunson
December 2025
Jalen Brunson poured in 40 points with eight assists to lead the Knicks past the Magic and into the Emirates NBA Cup final, extending his run of consecutive 30-plus point games and sharpening calls for All-NBA and Kia MVP recognition as New York chases two trophies. Brunson matched Jalen Suggs in the first half then pulled away after the break, calmly controlling tempo while Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby supplied strong support, prompting coach Mike Brown to publicly push his MVP case by emphasising how consistently Brunson carries the Knicks’ offense in big moments.
