Brunson says Knicks have not discussed White House visit

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson said the team has not yet discussed a possible visit to the White House to celebrate its NBA championship, according to an interview with Variety.

Brunson’s comments came after Knicks owner James Dolan said the franchise had already accepted an invitation to visit Washington, D.C., to mark the team’s title victory.

“People are making assumptions and saying everything, but together we haven’t discussed it yet, and so we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” Brunson said in a story published Monday by Variety.

Dolan, who is known to be a friend of U.S. President Donald Trump, said last month that a White House visit was being planned, pending final details. Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals in New York as a guest of Dolan.

No NBA champion has visited the White House during Trump’s presidency, including his first term. Three NBA champions visited former President Joe Biden: the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks, the 2022 Golden State Warriors, and the 2024 Boston Celtics.

Meanwhile, Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers, who won last year’s World Series, are scheduled to visit the White House on Thursday. The Dodgers also made a visit last year to celebrate their 2024 championship.

Brunson was named NBA Finals MVP after leading the Knicks to a five-game victory over the San Antonio Spurs. He scored 45 points in the championship-clinching game, averaged 32.6 points during the Finals, and recorded 28.4 points per game across 19 playoff appearances.

The Knicks’ championship was the franchise’s first since 1973.

-Field Level Media/Reuters