The New York Knicks are one victory away from ending a 53-year championship drought, and if you believe in cosmic signs, Jalen Brunson might have predicted it all — way back in 2015.
As the Knicks prepare for Saturday's Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs, a resurfaced tweet from Brunson has sent the internet into a frenzy. On June 13, 2015 — exactly 11 years before this potential closeout game — the then-high school phenom wrote: "One win away."
Now, with the Knicks holding a 3-1 series lead and the chance to clinch the franchise's first title since 1973, fans are calling it destiny. "THE PROPHECY WILL BE FULFILLED," one fan wrote. Another added, "11 years ago same day is INSANE." A third simply said, "It's destiny. The time and date say it all."
Brunson, however, isn't getting caught up in the hype. Despite averaging a blistering 29.5 points per game through the Finals, the Knicks point guard told reporters his mindset is "0-0" heading into Game 5. "As a team, you have to hold each other accountable," Brunson said, via NBC News. "Whatever's being said, positive or negative, you can't really think about or worry about too much. The fans are going to be the fans, but for us, we got to do our jobs."
That laser focus was on full display in Game 4, when Brunson scored 36 points and orchestrated the largest comeback in NBA Finals history. "Really wasn't that much to be said at that point," he explained. "It was just we need to chip away. We need to hit singles, get on base and make plays from there."
The Knicks have been a team of destiny all postseason, and Brunson's emergence as a superstar has silenced critics who doubted his size. Even Magic Johnson has shut down the size critics, declaring, "He's a winner."
If Brunson leads New York to a title on Saturday, his case for being the greatest player in franchise history will get a massive boost. But for now, the only thing on his mind is the task at hand — and maybe a little bit of cosmic timing.
Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks will try to close out the Spurs. And if the old tweet is any indication, Brunson might just be one win away from making history.
