Jalen Brunson draws inspiration from Eagles’ Super Bowl 2025 run

Jalen Brunson, devoted fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, said he draws inspiration from a Super Bowl run that was forged after very loud doubting of the quarterback and coach. 

“Absolutely (I’m inspired). Obviously, all the criticism about Jalen Hurts and him not being a champ. And he’s said the whole time that he doesn’t care about anything individual. He just wants to win. So I commend him for that,” Brunson said. “And a lot of respect for (Nick) Sirianni. A lot of people were talking about him early in the year, saying he wasn’t the right man for the job. And then the same thing — he pushes through and helps his team win. So I was really excited for all of them.” 

Brunson spent much of his childhood in South Jersey, which is Eagles country. He moved to the Chicago area for high school, but never abandoned the team. 

As a 6-foot-1 point guard and second-round draft pick, Brunson has also been met with skepticism about his ability to lead a team to a title.

He has silenced most detractors but, unlike Hurts before Sunday, has yet to win a professional title. 

Brunson’s among several Eagles supporters in the Knicks organization, including Karl-Anthony Towns and Miles McBride. 

Josh Hart, a Commanders fan, said he didn’t care about the Super Bowl result but declared that the Brady-Mahomes talk should cease after Sunday’s clunker by the Chiefs quarterback. 

“There’s been a lot of comparisons,” Hart said. “I don’t think there should be after that game.” 

Hart was again listed on the injury report with right knee soreness, an ailment that hasn’t actually kept him from playing but could potentially require a summer corrective procedure. 

“I don’t know. We’ll see what it calls for at the end of the season,” Hart said. “But, like I said before, I’m a servant to (my teammates) this year. I want to make sure I put these guys in the best situation. It’s not just for them. It’s also for (Tom Thibodeau). I want to make sure that I’m available to him, I want to make sure when I’m out there, I’m playing at a high level and playing the game the way I know how to play. If I’m out there, I’m healthy enough. And I’m good.” 

Hart has been listed as either questionable or probable several times because of the knee pain, but missed just one game this season — and that was for personal reasons. 

He entered Monday at second in the NBA this season in total minutes, behind teammate Mikal Bridges. 

OG Anunoby was upgraded to questionable after missing three games with a sprained foot. 

That update was after ESPN reported Anunoby won’t return until after the All-Star break — meaning, if accurate, he’d miss Tuesday in Indiana and Wednesday at home against the Hawks. 

Thibodeau wouldn’t rule out Anunoby for Tuesday. 

Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson participated in parts of Monday’s practice at the Knicks facility. Robinson still hasn’t played 5-on-5, however, and is out of the Pacers game.