New York Knicks Mike Vaccaro Handshake line difference between Knicks and Spurs says everything By Mike Vaccaro Published June 16, 2026, 8:46 p.m. ET Assistant coach Rick Brunson celebrates on the court as Jalen Brunson walks over the greet Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson after the Knicks' NBA title-clinching Game 5 win in San Antonio. Jason Szenes for New York Post Let’s see if you can guess the common theme here:
May 12, 2023: On a night when the other four Knicks starters shoot a ghastly 5-for-30, Jalen Brunson pours in 41 points on 14-for-22 shooting and keeps the Knicks close to the Heat in Game 6 of the East semifinals at Kaseya Center. Down two late, rather than take the last shot, Brunson tries to feed it underneath and turns the ball over. Knicks season ends 96-92.
Immediately, Brunson hides his face in his jersey, believing, as he’ll say later: “I lost us the game.” Quickly, he fixes his jersey, seeks out Jimmy Butler, embraces him. Then he walks over to Erik Spoelstra. They hug.
