It was a celebratory mood for the New York Knicks as they registered their first championship victory since 1973. While not the NBA Championship, the history of the best teams in the NBA Cup was an esteemed company for the roster to keep. As a result, the euphoria of the win was clear to see in the locker room.
As the players celebrated their victory, there were also some moments for some classic Knicks banter. Thanks to their roots going back to college, the chemistry and camaraderie were clear to see when Jalen Brunson took a hilarious shot at Josh Hart after the game.
Jalen Brunson Exposes Josh Hart’s Practice Habits
Teammates for three years at Villanova, including on the NCAA Championship squad in 2016, Hart and Brunson have had a storied history with each other. Coming to the NBA in consecutive drafts, they were both taken in the 30s.
It wasn’t until 2023, though, that either of them found a spot on a team together in the league. After the Knicks signed Brunson in the offseason, they added Hart via trade in February to make a playoff push.
Since then, the two have been together on the squad, pushing New York closer to an elusive NBA Finals appearance and Championship. From bowing out in the first round to making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, they have taken every step of the journey together.
However, thanks to years of growing up alongside one another, they also have an inexplicable chemistry, particularly when it comes to roasting each other. It was the same case after the NBA Cup victory.
As the team won 124-113 over the San Antonio Spurs, the superstar point guard was named the MVP, even coming just one vote shy of taking it home unanimously. After the win, the two joined the broadcast booth alongside Udonis Haslem for some comments.
The Miami Heat legend and three-time NBA Champion, though, had some high praise for the “glue guy” role that Hart had excelled at. Portraying a similar role in Miami for eons, Haslem claimed, “Every team could use a Josh Hart bro. I love what you do, dawg.”
With 11 points and eight rebounds, he had chipped in with some timely buckets and his trademark hustle, while his three stocks proved invaluable to the final score.
UD: “Every team could use a Josh Hart bro. I love what you do dawg”
Josh: “Appreciate you”
Jalen: “Not if that coach looks to practice a lot” pic.twitter.com/pdAwh4MWqr
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) December 17, 2025
However, with impeccable comedic timing, Brunson chimed in from the middle, “Not if the coach looks to practice a lot.” As the crew burst into laughter, even Haslem had to ask, “You two never lay off each other, do you?”
Clearly, the answer to that question is no. But that chemistry is what has become a foundational piece for the Knicks and their locker room. So far, it has elevated them to the Conference Finals and an NBA Cup Championship.
It will be interesting to see how much further it can take them in the near future.
