Jalen Brunson’s Wife Ali Reveals Her Superstitious Knicks Strategy for the 2026 NBA Finals (Exclusive)

Skyler CarusoFri, June 12, 2026 at 8:20 PM UTC

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Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks and his wife Ali Brunson.Credit: Sarah Stier/Getty; Daniel Zuchnik/Variety via Getty -

Ali Brunson revealed to PEOPLE exclusively the superstitious strategy she performs when her husband, Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, plays in the 2026 NBA Finals

The NBA wife explained why she tries to get in the same breathing rhythm as the Knicks guard

The Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 on Saturday, June 13

Whatever works!

Ali Brunson spoke with PEOPLE exclusively ahead of Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals about the superstitious strategy she has in place while watching her New York Knicks husband, Jalen Brunson, play in the best-of-seven championship series.

Specifically, Ali — who caught up with PEOPLE on behalf of her partnership with Reese's — says her tactical breath work is activated only when Brunson, 29, is at the line for free throws, not throughout the entire game.

Ali Brunson and her husband, Jalen Brunson, with their baby daughter.Credit: ali marks brunson/Instagram

"Just related to his free throws. When he's on the line... he takes a deep breath. He's trying to slow his pace down a little bit," Ali says of Brunson during the interview on Friday, June 12, one day before the Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 at the Frost Bank Center in Texas.

"And so, I try to match my breath up to when he's breathing. I feel like it's helping him make the shot," shares the NBA wife, who jokes that "everyone's going to be watching [Jalen] breathe now" when he's at the free throw line.

"It's a little thing," she adds. "This superstitious stuff is just getting too much."

Elsewhere in the conversation, Ali — who wed Brunson, her high school sweetheart, in 2023 — spoke about her partnership with Reese's Oreo, which tastefully fits into the orange and blue conversation of the Knicks with its packaging.

"The energy in the city is different. Orange and blue is everywhere. It's just been hyped up to a new level," Ali says of Knicks mania amid the thrilling NBA Finals. "These iconic colors that we're seeing everywhere for weeks... It just made the most sense."

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in Game Four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.Credit: Al Bello/Getty

As for whether Ali is already savoring the possibility of a championship heading into Game 5 — a win that would deliver the coveted Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy to the Knicks — she's staying confident but measured.

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"There's such good energy going around the city right now. We can feel it," Ali says. "I feel positive vibes the whole way, play-by-play, possession-by-possession. We can see that they can fight their way back, so no stress."

Ali confirms, "They'll make it happen."

The longtime couple's love story began at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Ill., in October 2013. Nearly two years later, Brunson posted pictures of the two attending their senior prom together on Instagram in May 2015.

Ali Brunson with her daughter, Jordyn.Credit: ali marks brunson/Instagram

While Brunson attended Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where he played Division I basketball, Ali stayed close to home at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, according to her LinkedIn. She studied kinesiology and exercise science, and graduated in 2017.

Ali attended Northwestern University the following year, where she received her doctorate in physical therapy in 2021. The pair dated long-distance while they both attended college. Brunson was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 2018.

The Knicks star proposed to Ali at their high school gym in September 2022.

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"She's always been by my side and I'm lucky to have her," Brunson said of Ali after they wed in 2023. "I'm excited to celebrate this special milestone with all of our closest friends and family, who have been so supportive over the many years of our relationship."

The couple welcomed their daughter, Jordyn James Brunson, on July 31, 2024.

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”