The New York Knicks are the 2026 NBA champions, but winning their title wasn’t easy. According to the team’s superstar athlete, Jalen Brunson, the franchise’s owner, James Dolan, asked them to abstain from one thing to get their minds right before the playoffs began in April.
Knicks Owner James Dolan Reportedly Asked His Players To Abstain From This One Thing Before The Finals Began
On a recent episode of his “Roommates” podcast, which he hosts with Josh Hart, Brunson revealed that the Knicks’ owner asked his players to make a major sacrifice before the playoffs began in April 2026.
“I had this idea that maybe you should give up sex for the next 10 weeks,” Dolan reportedly told his roster of players. “The Spartans—they denied themselves so that they could have an edge. Get the edge”
Brunson said that Dolan then asked his team to speak with their partners about his request, pleading with them not to tell their romantic partners that it was his idea. “… but let them know what this is going to be like, what your commitment is going to be like, and how they’re going to have to sacrifice, too,” Brunson added.
Knicks Owner Begged His Athletes To Keep Their Personal Troubles Away From The Team During NBA Finals
Elsewhere on the podcast, Brunson and Hart claimed that Dolan, who took ownership of the team in 2001, said his roster needed to be fully committed during the playoffs.
“For the next 10 weeks, this has just got to be all about us,” Brunson and Hart claimed Dolan said. “It’s not who we play, it’s how we play because I believe this team can beat anybody in the NBA. We’ve already shown that we can.”
To make their sacrifice worth it, the Knicks stars revealed that Dolan offered them all something very special.
“When we win the championship, we will get rings and when we get rings, so will they. I will buy a ring for each one of your significant others because their contribution is going to be very important to this team’s win,” Dolan shared, according to Brunson and Hart.
Brunson Was Quite Emotional After Beating The Spurs In Game 5 Of The NBA Finals
Brunson and the rest of the New York Knicks clinched the NBA championship title on June 13 in San Antonio, Texas. It was a thrilling win for the Villanova alum, considering the Spurs fought the entire series but couldn’t find a way to pull through.
According to a previous report from The Blast, Brunson revealed that he was overcome with emotion after connecting with his father, assistant coach Rick Brunson, following the final buzzer.
“I was good. [After] the final buzzer, I walked right to half court, shook Mitch Johnson’s hand, and then turned around. My dad was there,” he said. “I just remember Josh [Hart] talking into my ear and him just saying, like, ‘We did it. We did it,’ and then I was emotional for a good like 5, 10 minutes.”
Karl-Anthony Towns ‘Grateful’ To Bring A Win To New York City
Karl-Anthony Towns was also filled with emotion after his team won the NBA championship. While appearing on CBS Mornings with Gayle King, Towns told the esteemed journalist and media personality that he was “grateful” for what he was able to do for New York City.
“It’s amazing. It’s surreal to see the five boroughs come together as one,” he said. “To see everybody in New York City really all at one time become Knicks fans and just have that love for each other is pretty great.”
Knicks Head Coach Was ‘Invaluable’ To Their Team During Title Win
The Knicks’ latest title win comes 53 years after their last championship run in 1973. While speaking with the media, Hart said that their win wouldn’t have been possible without their head coach, Mike Brown.
“Mike was invaluable to this run,” said Hart. “He understands what it is to be a champion. He understands how to build a team, how to build habits that will put you in this position. We’re so grateful, so thankful to have him at the top. He kept us even so many times. He’s brought the best out of us, as people first. I’m so happy for him. He’s the reason why we’re here. He’s the reason why we’re here, and we’ve got love for him.”