New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson is still afraid to open the bag containing his 2026 NBA championship hat, four months after winning the title. The point guard joked about the potent smell trapped inside during a recent podcast appearance, as the team prepares to open its title defense on October 20 after a 122-120 preseason win over the Toronto Raptors on October 15.
On the "Roommates Show" podcast with teammate Josh Hart, Brunson admitted he hasn't touched the commemorative hat since the victory parade. He asked Hart if he had washed his own hat, and both players confirmed they had not. "Mine is still not washed, it’s in the bag and I’m afraid to open it," Brunson said. He described the likely aroma inside as a mix of "Champagne, sweat, cigars, food, beer, tequila."
That combination has created a legendary stench, turning the hat into a sealed science experiment. Hart said his own hat is probably sitting in a closet somewhere, also unwashed. The conversation highlights the messy, real aftermath of an NBA championship celebration that players rarely discuss.
The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to secure their first championship since 1973. Brunson delivered a historic performance in the clinching Game 5 on the road, scoring 45 points in a tense 94-90 victory. His scoring outburst was essential to closing out the series and ending a 53-year drought for the franchise.
The celebrations that followed were massive. New York held a championship parade through Manhattan, and Brunson even hosted the season-opening episode of "Saturday Night Live." The guard also played through a wrist injury during the playoff run, requiring offseason surgery. He has since made a full recovery.
The Knicks' 2026-27 season and official title defense begins on Tuesday, October 20, at Madison Square Garden against the Philadelphia 76ers. The night will feature the championship ring ceremony and the raising of the long-awaited title banner to the rafters. It’s a moment fans and the organization have anticipated for decades.
Preseason results have been mixed as the team gears up. They beat the Toronto Raptors 122-120 on October 15 but lost 148-98 to the same Raptors team on October 13. Other preseason games included a 104-122 loss to Minnesota, a 109-111 loss to Washington, and a 120-97 loss to Philadelphia.
The focus now shifts from the smell of last year's champagne to the pressure of a new season. Brunson's unopened hat bag is a funny relic of the past, but the entire team is looking forward, aiming to build a new legacy starting Tuesday night.
