Jalen Brunson Asked About Roman Reigns Winning at WrestleMania After Knicks' Playoff Win vs. Hawks

Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks crushed the Atlanta Hawks 140-89 in Game 6 of their first round playoff series on Thursday to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

There's really only so much to discuss in a postgame press conference regarding a matchup that was basically over after the first quarter (40-15 in the Knicks' favor), so one reporter decided to ask Brunson, a big wrestling fan, how he felt about Roman Reigns winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship over CM Punk at WrestleMania 42.

Brunson was hyped to field that question.

Brunson finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and two steals in a game the Knicks led by an NBA playoff record 47 points at halftime and 61 during the third quarter.

As far as his love of wrestling goes, Brunson appeared on WWE SmackDown at his home arena of Madison Square Garden in June 2024 and faced off against an on-court foe, Indiana Pacers star (and fellow WWE fan) Tyrese Haliburton. Brunson (flanked by LA Knight) picked up a folding chair, and Haliburton (accompanied by Logan Paul) had the brass knuckles. Cooler heads eventually prevailed.

Two years later, Brunson is trying to lead the Knicks to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 and their first championship since 1973. New York will play the winner of the first round playoff series between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, which will now be decided by a Game 7 in Boston on Saturday.