Jalen Brunson is fresh off leading the New York Knicks to their first NBA championship in 53 years and is soaking in the celebrations. He even took some playful swipes at his former teammate, Luka Dončić, sharing his candid take on the Lakers’ superstar’s defensive abilities.
Jalen Brunson Takes a Lighthearted Swipe at Luka Dončić’s Defense
Brunson appeared on “Kids Sports Reporters” this week and was asked to name a famous contact in his phone. The Knicks star mentioned Dončić but could not resist taking a humorous shot at him.
“I would say Luka probably,” Brunson said. “I’m not a fan of Luka. He’s probably one of the worst teammates I’ve ever had.”
One of the young hosts hilariously remarked that Dončić does not play defense.
Brunson, familiar with his former teammate’s game, was initially left speechless, responding with, “Wow! Wow!”
However, the 2026 Finals MVP came to Dončić’s defense, albeit in a lighthearted way.
“He plays a little defense,” Brunson said. “He tries. He plays defense.”
Dončić is not known as a shutdown defender, but he is far from a liability on that end of the floor.
Given the massive offensive responsibilities he carries, the Lakers star’s defensive intensity can vary at times, which earned him some criticism back when he was in MVP conversations for his stunning performances.
The bond between Brunson and Dončić dates back to their arrival in Dallas following the 2018 NBA Draft. They developed into one of the league’s most promising backcourts, with the latter becoming the Mavericks’ centerpiece and Brunson growing from a dependable reserve into a key playmaker.
Their partnership lasted four seasons and reached its peak during the Mavericks’ run to the 2022 Western Conference Finals. Brunson then departed for the Knicks, while Dončić eventually landed with the Los Angeles Lakers after a blockbuster trade.
While Dončić will look to clinch his first championship as a Lakers superstar, Brunson exploded into a legitimate MVP candidate, cementing himself in Knicks history after leading New York to the 2026 NBA Championship against the San Antonio Spurs.
In an appearance on “Drafteados” during the NBA finals, Dončić spoke highly of his former teammate and detailed the mindset that sets him apart.
“He has a winner mentality that makes him different from other players,” Dončić said. “We talk all the time. We talked before the last game. I said you’ve got one more, and of course, after he won, I congratulated him on the title.”
Brunson has long expressed similar admiration for Dončić, even referring to him as his brother before Team USA faced Slovenia in a warm-up game ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
