‘That’s the guy’ – Spike Lee backs Jalen Brunson to dethrone champions OKC in bold 2026 NBA Finals prediction

Feb 8, 2026 - 14:45

Spike Lee is as loyal as a sports fan gets.

Cheering on the New York Knicks from his signature courtside seat at Madison Square Garden, the legendary filmmaker has been there through all the highs, and – admittedly more – lows.

It’s not a NY Knicks home game if Spike Lee isn’t in attendance

But since the acquisition of Jalen Brunson to the team in 2022 when he signed a four-year, $104 million contract in free agency the Orange and Blue skies have only got brighter and brighter.

In 2024, he would agree to a $156m four-year extension deal.

Having spearheaded the team to win the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 – winning the MVP award – Lee has hailed the three-time All-Star as ‘the guy’ that could end the Knicks’ long-standing championship drought.

“He’s the captain. He’s the leader,” Lee exclusively told talkSPORT at the Fanatics Super Bowl Party in San Francisco, California on Friday.

“He’s one of the starters for the NBA All-Star weekend. That’s the guy. That’s my guy. I wear a vest with his number on it.”

The Knicks have flirted with a trip to the NBA Finals over the past three seasons, reaching the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2023 and 2024, before being on the losing end of a seven-game series thriller against the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals.

With the Pacers heading for a top lottery pick, and conference juggernauts Boston Celtics without Jayson Tatum – albeit still second in the standings through 52 games – the Knicks are in a solid position to go on yet another deep playoff run.

Spike Lee draws optimism for a title from recent efforts

Lee argues that their current roster – led by new head coach Mike Brown – is even better than last season’s, only adding to the growing confidence that this could well be the year they finally reach – and win – a championship.

“We went deep last year,” Lee exclusively told talkSPORT. “But we’re stronger.

“The New York Knicks haven’t won an NBA championship since the 1971-72 season.

“For those of you who are good at math, that’s over 50 years which is five decades.

Spike Lee has all faith in Jalen Brunson[/caption]

Jalen Brunson led his Knicks to the NBA Cup as he went on to claim the MVP award

So far in the 2025-26 campaign, the Knicks are 33-19, 5.5 games adrift of Eastern Conference leaders Detroit Pistons.

But with Sunday’s road outing against the Celtics at the TD Garden, they could not only trim that lead, but also surpass Boston and claim second spot in the East.

New York currently rank top 10 in the NBA for points scored per game (117.5 PPG) and top three in three-point field goal percentage (37.8 percent).

Ranking inside the top 10 in the league for both rebounds (46 RPG) and assists (26.9), the Knicks also rank fifth in the NBA in plus/minus, though both the Pistons (7.8) and Celtics (7.2) rank higher.

Knicks touted to dethrone OKC in the Finals

Nonetheless, Lee is somewhat optimistic of his team’s chances to finally get their hands on the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the first time in over 50 years.

“I hope that this will be the year – the glorious year – where the Knicks will beat OKC in the Finals,” Lee admitted.

Lee argues the Knicks' core of Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges is stronger than ever — Lee argues the Knicks’ core of Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges is stronger than ever

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JUNE 22: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder receives the Bill Russell 2025 Finals MVP Award after the game against the Indiana Pacers after winning during Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images) — Lee is hopeful that the Knicks can defeat the reigning champs OKC in the 2025-26 Finals

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the reigning champions, spearheaded by last season’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Whilst they currently have a 40-13 record, leading the rest of the Western Conference by 3.5 games and above, there is no guarantee that they will even reach the Finals for the second straight year.

This comes as NBA icon Steve Nash has predicted that Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets could thwart the Thunder’s chances of making the Finals and achieving their goal of going back-to-back.

Furthermore, once the playoffs begin, in a best of seven series, anything can happen.

That’s why teams like the Knicks, despite their lack of success across decades, cannot be ruled out from making a legitimate run to glory.

As for Lee’s New York sports Mount Rushmore, though, the 68-year-old’s response was simple, with the 1970 NBA championship-winning team his fondest memory.

“For me, it’s the New York Knicks’ first world championship. May 8. 1970,” Lee told talkSPORT. “Known as the Willis Reed game. I was there, I was 13-years-old. That team [is going on Mount Rushmore].

“Willis Reed at center. Dave DeBusschere strong four. Senator Bill Bradley at forward and the backcourt was Dick Barnett and Wilt Frazier. Head coach was Red Holzman.”

Should the Knicks claim championship glory in 2026, though, then his Mount Rushmore list may well change.

Stay up to date with the latest from the NBA across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.