Trae Young added another chapter to his long-running rivalry with Jalen Brunson, with Young playfully tearing Brunson’s New York Knicks jersey during an appearance at Fanatics Fest.
The moment quickly circulated across social media, drawing reactions from fans who have followed the competitive history between the two All-Star point guards. While the exchange was lighthearted, it referenced one of the NBA’s more entertaining individual rivalries that has carried from playoff battles to offseason events.
Young has frequently embraced the role of antagonist in New York dating back to the 2021 playoffs, when he led the Atlanta Hawks past the Knicks in the first round. Since then, Brunson has helped transform New York into one of the Eastern Conference’s elite teams after signing with the franchise in 2022.
Brunson is coming off another outstanding campaign. He averaged 26.0 points, 6.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 46.7% from the field across 74 regular-season games, earning his fourth consecutive All-Star selection and a second straight All-NBA Second Team nod. New York finished 53-29, good for third place in the Eastern Conference before making a dominant postseason run.
The Knicks captured the 2026 NBA championship by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in five games. Brunson elevated his play once again in the playoffs, averaging 28.4 points, 6.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds over 19 postseason contests while shooting 46.5% from the field and 84.6% from the free-throw line. He was named the Finals MVP after leading New York to its first NBA title since 1973.
Young, meanwhile, enters a new chapter of his career after agreeing to a four-year, $212 million contract extension with the Washington Wizards. The deal includes a player option in the fourth season and officially establishes the four-time All-Star as the centerpiece of Washington’s rebuilding project.
The Wizards acquired Young from the Atlanta Hawks during the 2025-26 season and have since doubled down on building around him. Washington paired the veteran guard with No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa while also featuring a young core that includes Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George alongside veteran Anthony Davis.
