​Following the New York Knickerbockers’ historic championship in the 2025–26 NBA season finals, Sotheby’s in New York sold a jersey worn by point guard Jalen Brunson on Wednesday for just over $1 million. The Knicks’ first title in 53 years set a new benchmark for Knicks memorabilia, with Sotheby’s expert Brahm Wachter estimating the item could surpass $1 million. The sale, which opened on June 30, concluded on Wednesday and realized a total of $2.9 million from finals-related memorabilia. More than 400 bidders registered, Sotheby’s reported, with nearly 30% new to the auction house. New Yorkers accounted for about a third of all registrants.
Brunson wore the $1 million jersey on June 3, in game one of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, as the Knicks faced the San Antonio Spurs. He racked up 30 points in the game, including 13 in the fourth quarter, along with three rebounds and two assists, helping New York secure a 105–95 victory and a 1–0 series lead after trailing by 14 points entering the fourth quarter. Brunson led the Knicks in scoring throughout the Finals, earning Most Valuable Player honors as he propelled the team to its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years during the 2024–25 season. A Villanova alumnus, he was selected 33rd overall in the 2018 NBA draft after winning two national championships and earning honors such as Consensus National Player of the Year in college. He began his professional career with the Dallas Mavericks, guiding them to their best finish since 2011 when they reached the Western Conference Finals in 2022. He later joined the Knicks and helped the club reach its first playoff series in a decade, with the team posting increasing win totals under his leadership.
In the same sale, a jersey worn by Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama was the second-best-selling lot, selling for $217,600—the highest price fetched by any item from that team in the auction. A jersey worn during game one by Brunson’s teammate OG Anunoby brought in $256,000. Anunoby’s recognition surged after his postgame remarks following the game-four heroics, when he deadpanned to reporters, “Uh, it feels cool. I mean, everyone’s pretty excited. I’m excited too.” A Karl-Anthony Towns jersey also fetched $256,000. Although Sotheby’s initially listed the game-winning ball from game four, nicknamed “The Hand of OG,” for sale, the item was later withdrawn from the auction. An NBA spokesperson told ARTnews on Thursday that the ball would remain with the team as a lasting piece of franchise history.
The sale also drew attention for its broader offering of memorabilia and related items, which contributed to the overall total and underscored Sotheby’s role as a premier venue for historic sports collectibles. The event highlighted the growing market for high-profile game-worn apparel and other historically significant pieces tied to landmark seasons and championship runs. In addition to its financial success, the auction stressed the cultural and emotional value of championship parity, star players, and the storied traditions of basketball in New York and beyond. The sale’s results reflect continued interest among collectors and fans alike in owning tangible memories from one of the NBA’s most celebrated seasons. The final tally across all items underscored a robust demand for sports memorabilia that captures pivotal moments in modern basketball history.