In a historic sale on Wednesday, Sotheby's New York auctioned a jersey worn by Jalen Brunson during the 2025–26 NBA finals for just over $1 million. This jersey marks the first championship win for the New York Knicks in 53 years and set a record for Knicks memorabilia.
The auction, which began on June 30, concluded with a total of $2.9 million raised from finals memorabilia, attracting over 400 registered bidders, with nearly 30% being new to Sotheby's. Surprisingly, one-third of the registrants hailed from New York City.
Brunson's Game-Changing Performance
Brunson wore the iconic jersey on June 3 during game one against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. He scored 30 points, including 13 points in the final quarter, contributing significantly to the Knicks' 105-95 victory and establishing a 1-0 series lead.
His performance was crucial, especially as the team was down by 14 points after the third quarter. For his efforts, Brunson earned the title of Most Valuable Player in the NBA Finals, a testament to his leadership and skill on the court.
Impact on Knicks' Legacy
This championship win is not just a milestone for the Knicks but also a personal triumph for Brunson, who led the team to its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years during the previous season. Drafted 33rd overall in the 2018 NBA draft, Brunson has been a pivotal player since joining the Knicks, helping them secure playoff series for the first time in a decade.
- Jersey worn by Jalen Brunson: $1 million
- Brunson's points in game one: 30
- Knicks' lead after game one: 1-0
- Number of bidders in the auction: 400+
- Total sales from finals memorabilia: $2.9 million
Other Notable Sales at Sotheby's
During the same auction, a jersey worn by Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs sold for $217,600, marking the highest sale for any item from that team. Additionally, a jersey worn by OG Anunoby, Brunson's teammate, fetched $256,000.
While Sotheby’s initially listed the game-winning ball from game four, dubbed “The Hand of OG,” it was later withdrawn from the sale to remain with the team as a piece of franchise history, according to an NBA spokesperson.
Other items of interest included a section of the Madison Square Garden floor with the NBA finals logo selling for approximately $243,200, and a net used in game five, which sold for $179,200.
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