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Before Jalen Brunson would discuss the New York Knicks’ historic 29-point comeback in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, the emotional All-Star first wanted to address the passing of a new friend.
‘I just want to say my thoughts and prayers are with a friend of mine I got to meet and talk to last week, Jonathan from North Carolina, from the Make-A-Wish foundation and the Garden of Dreams foundation,’ Brunson told reporters after the Knicks seized a 3-1 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. ‘He had a heart condition.’
Details about Jonathan and his life have not yet been revealed by Make-A-Wish, which fulfils wishes for seriously ill children, or Garden of Dreams, another non-profit that works with Madison Square Garden’s family of companies. The Daily Mail has sought further information from both organizations.
Speaking from behind a pair of thick black sunglasses, Brunson did shed some light on how the two came to speak in the days leading up to the Finals.
‘It was just asked of me to make a video and reach out to him,’ he explained. ‘Something in my mind just told me to try and get him on Facetime and get to chat with him. Got the pleasure to do so. It was a quick call, but it was worth it. Just want to say my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.’
The solemn Brunson did not reveal much about Jonathan’s death, but did end his comment by saying: ‘Just finding out some news about him today. May God rest his soul.’
Before Jalen Brunson would discuss the Knicks’ historic 29-point comeback in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, the emotional All-Star first wanted to address the passing of a new friend
Brunson finished with 36 points on Wednesday night as the Knicks took a 3-1 series lead
Jalen Brunson hugs Law & Order actress Mariska Hargitay after the Knicks’ comeback win
Brunson is also heavily involved in his own charity work.
A second-generation NBA player after his father, Knicks assistant Rick Brunson, Jalen launched his Second Round Foundation with his mother, Sandra, in 2023. Named after the round of the NBA Draft in which the younger Brunson was picked in 2018, the organization is aimed at supporting academic and sports programs through a number of events, including a golf tournament at The Westchester Country Club.
Brunson has become a fan favorite since signing with New York as a free agent in 2022, but has reached an entirely new level of popularity in the city amid the Knicks’ current 13-1 postseason run.
His pull-up 3-pointer over 7ft 5in Victor Wembanyama cut the Spurs’ lead to just one point with 2:20 remaining in the fourth, which helped to set up teammate OG Anunoby’s game-winning tip-in with 1.2 seconds left to play.
‘I wouldn’t even shoot that in a Central Park pickup game,’ one fan wrote on X. [Brunson] took it over the 7’6 unanimous [Defensive Player of the Year] in the biggest game of his life.’
Brunson drained a pull-up 3-pointer over the 7ft 5in Wembanyama to cut the Spurs’ lead to one point with 2:20 remaining in the fourth. Anunoby would hit the game winner minutes later
For Brunson, a 29-year-old standing just 6ft 2in, it was another in a series of late-game heroics for the Knicks captain and unquestioned leader.
‘My parents raised me to never be a follower, always be a leader,’ he said after his 36-point Game 4 effort. ‘I feel like it’s something that’s helped me grow as a person, and it’s a role I enjoy having. I enjoy trying to set the table. I enjoy being able to lead by example and lead vocally, as well. But it’s the chemistry with my teammates that allows me to do so.’
Game 5 of the NBA Finals will take place on Saturday in San Antonio, where the Knicks will have a chance to clinch their first championship since 1973.
