Jalen Brunson pushes back on idea that Eastern Conference is 'wide open'

Charlie Baduini

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Jalen Brunson pushes back on idea that Eastern Conference is 'wide open' image

Entering the 2025-26 NBA season, the Eastern Conference was considered weaker than it's been in years past.

Thanks to Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers stars Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton tearing their Achilles tendons, the reigning Eastern Conference champions from 2024 and 2025 were expected to take a step back, paving the way for lesser teams to challenge for the top spot in the East.

But New York Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson isn't interested in those conversations and pushed back on the notion that the Eastern Conference is weak compared to recent memory.

Jalen Brunson says 'too many great teams, great players' to call East weak

In a press conference ahead of the Knicks' NBA Cup Final matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, Brunson was asked about how he views the East and West conferences.

"On any given night, someone can beat anybody, regardless of who you're playing. And so, the West, obviously, they have great teams. What they've been able to do, obviously, since I've been alive, it's been a lot of West-dominated teams. But the conversation about the East being wide open, I just, I'm not a fan of that," Brunson told reporters.

"I think there's too many great teams, great players, regardless of who's out, that are still competing. And so, you don't take anyone lightly. You don't take anyone for granted. You do what you gotta do every single night. And so, the East is a lot better than people think, and it's a grind every night."

Obviously, being a member of a team in the East compels Brunson to defend his conference.

We'll see how both conferences' best-performing teams compare in tonight's NBA Cup Final in Las Vegas.

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