Sandra Brunson says her texts keep Jalen Brunson grounded on Knicks runs

Sandra Brunson still sends Jalen Brunson texts before every game, a habit that started when he was in high school. In her first broadcast TV interview since the New York Knicks’ victory, Sandra said the messages are meant to send “words of encouragement” and remind him “it’s not the end of the world, it’s basketball.”

Jalen Brunson later told his mother the NBA grind brought a new reality, 82 games, and that she did not need to text before all of them. Sandra kept doing it anyway. Jalen still looks forward to the messages.

Sandra and Jalen co-founded The Second Round Foundation, a mental health nonprofit focused on empowering young people through education, sports and community. Sandra said prioritizing mental health is essential to helping young people thrive both on and off the court, and she framed leadership as a matter of trust: every teammate has a job, everyone has to feel comfortable in that role, and one play does not decide a game. What matters, she said, is how a player responds.

The Knicks clinched their first NBA championship in 53 years on June 13, 2026. Jalen hugged his father, Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, after the win. Jalen said his leadership style came from both parents, and Rick Brunson’s own Knicks history reaches back to the 1999 Eastern Conference championship team, alongside his role on the bench since 2022.

Sandra Brunson was a standout volleyball player at Temple University, where she met Rick Brunson.