New York Knicks ESPYs dominated the 2026 ESPY Awards ceremony, with the team collecting five honors after ending a 53 year championship drought, the ceremony organizers announced.
Jalen Brunson was the evening’s biggest individual winner, taking home three awards after his dominant role in the Knicks’ championship run, the ESPY Awards announced at the ceremony.
New York Knicks ESPYs: Brunson claims three top honors
Brunson won Best Male Athlete, Best NBA Player, and Best Championship Performance, beating out finalists that included Lionel Messi and Shohei Ohtani, according to the ESPY Awards voting results released at the event.
On stage, Brunson thanked his teammates and described the season as “an incredible journey.” He said, “To fight alongside this group and receive this honor means so much to me…this really has been an unbelievable journey.”
Knicks moments and team honors
Forward OG Anunoby was named winner of the Best Play award for a putback that completed a 29 point comeback in NBA Finals Game 4, an honor presented during the ESPY ceremony.
The Knicks were also awarded Best Team, recognizing the roster assembled under team president Leon Rose, the ESPY organizers said.
More than half the championship roster, including Rose, walked on stage to accept the Best Team award and share the moment with fans and colleagues at the ceremony.
Absence, jokes, and a podcast appearance
Guard Josh Hart was notable by his absence on stage, drawing playful jabs from teammates as they accepted the Best Team award. Brunson joked on stage, “We want to thank the ESPY committee for rescinding Josh Hart’s invitation,” prompting laughter from the crowd.
Hart was not at the ceremony because he appeared the same day on a public podcast with Brunson, the team confirmed. On the social platform X, Hart reshared his teammates’ wins and wrote humorously, “I thought I had a shot…at least I should be second place right?”
What the sweep means for the franchise
The ESPY wins provide a public capstone to the Knicks’ breakthrough season and to the franchise’s return to the top of the NBA under Leon Rose, a period the team and its fans have celebrated since the championship.
At the ceremony, the Knicks’ run was framed as a collective achievement that combined veteran leadership, role player contributions, and timely performances on the biggest stage, the ESPY Awards commentary noted.
For fans tracking the awards season, the New York Knicks ESPYs results cemented the franchise’s prominence this year, with Brunson’s three awards and the team’s Best Team honor dominating headlines after the ceremony.
