​Jayson Tatum is pleased to see Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby finally win for the Knicks, a development originally reported by The Sporting News. Please add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. As one of the modern era’s top players, Tatum has long been the star for the Boston Celtics. However, the past two seasons have been tough for him, largely due to injury issues that kept him sidelined and allowed other teams to rise, including the New York Knicks, who are the current champions.
Because the Knicks have emerged as a key rival to the Celtics, Tatum’s mixed feelings about their championship run are unsurprising. He is a fierce competitor, yet he also feels a sense of happiness for some of his peers on the Knicks roster. It can be difficult for a player to watch teammates achieve greatness while he is sidelined. That was Tatum’s reality over the last two seasons: he was sidelined by injury in 2025 and then watched a blown 3-1 series lead in the 2026 playoffs.
Even with the sting of recent setbacks, Tatum remained glad to see friends experience success. He has known Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby for a long time, and seeing them win the title brought him joy. “Just sitting it out, really spectating as a fan. I will say that I’ve known Jalen Brunson since I was 16. I’ve known OG since I was 16. A lot of guys in the NBA, we go way back. I wasn’t rooting for them, but when they won, I was happy for them,” Tatum told TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle.
The Knicks’ recent success is likely to be a motivating factor across the league, and Tatum seems to have internalized that energy as he prepares for the 2026-27 season. This upcoming year should be particularly compelling for Tatum, who is expected to be fully healthy again after contending with a ruptured Achilles tendon over the past year.
Meanwhile, the Celtics have faced questions about Jayson Tatum’s future, including trade rumors surrounding him and Jaylen Brown. Brown’s blockbuster move to the Philadelphia 76ers has reshaped the dynamic, and discussions around Tatum’s partnership with Brown have continued to surface. Tatum’s reflections on Brown’s departure and his own path forward in Boston have been a focal point as fans and analysts speculate about the team’s direction.
In sum, Tatum’s reaction to the Knicks’ championship run highlights the complex emotions that accompany competing at the highest level: pride in peers’ success, personal longing for continued triumph with his own team, and renewed motivation to return to peak form after serious injury. The coming season promises to be a telling chapter in his career as he aims to lead the Celtics back to championship contention.