Nova Knicks solidify their legacy with NBA championship: ‘Family forever’

SAN ANTONIO — Josh Hart Misses the Final Celebration

Jalen Brunson likes to tease his friend about the past, joking that Hart missed out on the glory at Villanova just as Brunson and Mikal Bridges celebrated their second national championship in three years in San Antonio.

Fast forward eight years, and those college teammates are now NBA champions, leading the Knicks to their first title in 53 years with a nail-biting 94-90 win over the Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Frostbank Center. Remarkably, they are the first trio to win both an NCAA and an NBA championship together.

“They are my brothers for life,” said Hart. “We share a bond that can’t be broken. We’ve won together in college, but this feels so much better.”

“This moment was meant for us. We’ve all been through challenges, but with coach [Jay] Light guiding us, no challenge feels too big.”

Brunson claimed the NBA Finals MVP title, delivering a stunning 45-point performance, while Hart contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Bridges added 14 points and 4 assists in support.

It’s hard to believe, given their current triumphs, that just a few years ago these rising stars were playing in different cities.

Brunson joined the Knicks in the summer of 2022, signing a lucrative free agent deal. Hart, on the other hand, was on his third team in six seasons and had yet to reach the playoffs when he was traded to the Knicks on February 8, 2023. Brunson couldn’t contain his excitement when he heard the news, exclaiming, “Oh, yeah! That’s it!” and raising his arms in celebration.

Brunson saw in Hart a player whose selflessness would fit perfectly with the Knicks, a team that hadn’t won a playoff series in a decade.

“I was a bit lost, going through trades and new coaches, but New York welcomed me. This city is filled with hardworking, gritty people, and I feel connected to that,” Hart remarked.

Bridges, who had been part of a Phoenix team that reached the NBA Finals in 2021, joined the Knicks in 2024, completing the Villanova trio in New York after Donte DiVincenzo’s trade to Minnesota.

Initially, Bridges faced criticism for his prior performances and the hefty price Brooklyn paid in first-round picks. Yet, after a challenging moment in Game 3, where he went scoreless, he stepped up remarkably, becoming one of the key players during the playoffs.

“Every choice matters. All worth it,” he noted, sipping champagne. “I’m incredibly thankful. Through the tough times, my fans kept pushing me to improve.”