Knicks’ Jalen Brunson crowned ‘King of New York’ on new magazine cover

As he nears his first-ever NBA Finals appearance, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson has been dubbed one of the “Kings of New York” on a new magazine cover.

The New Yorker’s latest issue features an original piece from artist Mark Ulriksen with Brunson standing tall over other Knicks legends.

The cover for this week’s issue is “Kings of New York,” by Mark Ulriksen. See what’s inside: https://t.co/kOmc7GcqCL pic.twitter.com/nwmAs6I9Gy

— The New Yorker (@NewYorker) May 25, 2026

The likes of Carmelo Anthony and Patrick Ewing are also featured on the bottom of the cover. Brunson, being the team’s current captain, is still front and center.

This is a drastic change from one of the last times the Knicks were featured on the cover of The New Yorker. In May 2021, the magazine featured a cover of then-Brooklyn Nets stars Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden standing tall above former Knicks stars RJ Barrett and Julius Randle. Things have changed a lot in five years.

Inside this week’s issue of The New Yorker: https://t.co/BhckkFZilr pic.twitter.com/ZoAWQrj4HU

— The New Yorker (@NewYorker) May 3, 2021

The Knicks are currently facing Harden in the Eastern Conference Finals. He is part of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are down 3-0 to New York.

How Knicks guard Jalen Brunson became one of the “Kings of New York”

Since joining the Knicks in 2022, Brunson has become one of the “Kings of New York.” In four years, New York has made the playoffs four times.

Additionally, Brunson has led his team to two straight Eastern Conference Finals. They are one win away from making the NBA Finals for the first time since this millennium.

He has never averaged fewer than 24 points per game with the Knicks. For reference, Brunson never accomplished that in his four years with the Dallas Mavericks.

In 2024, he famously took less in his first contract extension with the Knicks in an effort to try to give the team flexibility. He was eligible for a five-year, $256 million contract, instead opting to take a four-year, $156.5 million contract. It appears the risk has paid off.

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