CLEVELAND (AP) — The New York Knicks made a commitment to Jalen Brunson four years ago, signing him as a free agent and building their team around him.
Brunson proved they made the right decision by leading them to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
The All-Star point guard averaged 25.5 points and 7.8 assists during New York's sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, earning the Larry Bird Trophy as the series MVP. He had 15 points and five assists Monday, when the Knicks crushed Cleveland 130-93 in Game 4.
“It's an honor to be here in this city and this organization,” Brunson said, sitting side-by-side with former Villanova University teammates Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges. "I wouldn't trade it for the world.
“We're still writing our story, but I like the journey that we're on right now.”
Skepticism abounded around the league when New York extended a four-year, $104 million contract to the then-Dallas Mavericks guard in 2022. Brunson silenced many critics when he averaged 24.0 points in his first season, then added three straight All-Star selections.
After helping the Knicks reach the East finals in 2025, when they lost to the upstart Indiana Pacers, Brunson was the best player in the series from start to finish against the Cavaliers. In Game 1, his 38-point masterpiece fueled New York's comeback from a 22-point hole in the fourth quarter.
“He just puts in the work. He’s a testament of that,” Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns said. “He believes in that, and he showcases that every single day to all of us and it drives us to be better.”
Brunson’s work ethic instantly impressed New York coach Mike Brown when he was hired last summer, then forced him to change his sleep habits during the season as the 29-year-old went all out in morning shootarounds. It prompted Brown to compare his determination to basketball legends Stephen Curry and Tim Duncan.
“Their quiet strength, all the time, is what they all have in common,” Brown said. “Jalen's work ethic is off the chart and he makes me adjust because he goes so hard every day. When your leader is that way, it's easy to be a coach.”
The Knicks subsequently brought in Bridges and Hart via trades, and acquired Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves as the final piece of the puzzle. That core four is now just four wins away from delivering the franchise its first NBA title since 1973.
“There is no player, no other guard I'd want to be in this position with than J.B.,” Bridges said.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) celebrates with guard Miles McBride (2) during the second half of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, center, holds the Eastern Conference Championship trophy after Game 4 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Houston Astros have pitched several combined no-hitters — even one in the World Series. This latest gem, however, might have been the biggest surprise of all.
Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai threw six spotless innings after walking three of the first four batters he faced Monday night. Steven Okert then got three outs before Alimber Santa made his major league debut and fired two perfect innings to complete the Astros' 17th regular-season no-hitter — four of them combined efforts — in a 9-0 win over the Texas Rangers.
“The first inning, you never thought that this was going to be the outcome of the game,” manager Joe Espada said. “Imai, he continued to compete. ... He continued to pound the zone, he fought through it. Six strong innings, and then the rest is history."
It was the first no-hitter in the major leagues since Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined for a 12-0 win over Pittsburgh on Sept. 4, 2024. No pitcher has tossed a complete-game no-hitter since Blake Snell for the San Francisco Giants against Cincinnati on Aug. 2, 2024.
The 23-year-old Santa became the first pitcher since 1900 to participate in a no-hitter during his big league debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
“Yeah, there was some adrenaline,” Santa said through a translator. “I was aware of the no-hitter, but I was just trying to calm myself down from the bullpen.”
Ronel Blanco tossed the previous no-hitter for the Astros in a 10-0 victory over Toronto on April 1, 2024, which also marked Espada’s first win as manager. In fact, Houston has authored three of the past seven and five of the last 11 major league no-hitters — including one in the 2022 World Series when four pitchers combined against Philadelphia.
Okert worked the seventh after Imai got 16 outs over the last 16 batters he faced. He benefited from a double play in the first, then settled into a groove after issuing his third walk.
“During pregame, our focus was attacking the zone,” Imai said through a translator. “But in the first inning, I felt unbalanced, the timing was off. But after that inning, I was able to adjust the timing, all the rhythm and stuff.”
Santa entered in the eighth and retired all six batters he faced. His 24th pitch was a called third strike against Brandon Nimmo, ending the game with his first career strikeout. That was confirmed after an ABS challenge by Nimmo of the final pitch.
“I wasn't sure,” Santa said, but catcher Christian Vázquez was already on the mound telling him, “`Hey stud, that's a strike.'”
Texas was held without a hit for the sixth time, and third at home since moving into Globe Life Field in 2020. The previous one was Corey Kluber's no-hitter for the New York Yankees on May 19, 2021, about six weeks after San Diego right-hander Joe Musgrove threw one in Texas for his hometown team on April 9.
These Rangers, hitting .232 with 201 runs through 53 games, have two of their best players on the injured list in two-time World Series MVP shortstop Corey Seager (lower back inflammation) and outfielder Wyatt Langford (right forearm strain). Plus, third baseman Josh Jung (.302 batting average) missed his second game in a row because of left shoulder soreness.
“When you get no-hit, it’s a team thing,” first-year Texas manager Skip Schumaker said. “It’s not just the players who feel it, all of us feel it. ... I have to find different ways to message on the offensive side to get this team going, to get this offense going."
The Rangers struck out only four times, a night after whiffing 16 times in a 2-1 loss to the Angels.
Imai’s fourth walk was to Nimmo leading off the fourth inning, but Ezequiel Duran then grounded into a double play.
Imai (2-2) threw 57 of his 97 pitches for strikes. He struck out two.
The 28-year-old Imai, who said his only previous no-hitter came in middle school, is in his first big league season after coming over from Japan. He was 1-2 with an 8.31 ERA in his first five starts for Houston.
Imai agreed in January to a $54 million, three-year contract. He was a three-time All-Star during eight seasons in Japan, and went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA last season for the Pacific League’s Seibu Lions.
Joc Pederson was retired on a nifty play in the third when Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña made a backhanded stop on a hard one-hopper and a twisting throw to first. Justin Foscue and Danny Jansen had deep flyouts into the left-center gap in the Texas fifth.
Okert walked Nimmo leading off the seventh before retiring the next three batters.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Houston Astros pitchers Alimber Santa, left, Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai throws to the Texas Rangers, center right, and Steven Okert, right, pose with catcher Christian V·zquez after combining for a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers during a baseball game Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa, right, is doused with water after pitching in his major league debut and closing a combined no-hitter by his team against the Texas Rangers during a baseball game Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa kisses the ball after he helped his team earn a combined no-hitter during his major league debut in a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa gestures after pitching in his major league debut and closing a combined no-hitter by his team against the Texas Rangers during a baseball game Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai, center, celebrates with teammates, including pitcher Alimber Santa (72) and catcher Christian V·zquez, right, after the team combined for a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers during a baseball game Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa, left, reacts with catcher Christian Vázquez after completing their team's combine no-hitter win over the Texas Rangers during a baseball game Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai walks in the dugout after pitching to the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai throws to the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai throws to the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
