New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson has taken over Madison Square Garden—and not just with his game. As the Knicks make their deepest playoff push in decades, Brunson’s unexpected pregame ritual is turning heads: Justin Bieber.
In the heart of New York City’s basketball frenzy, the 27-year-old All-Star has found calm, focus, and even motivation in Justin Bieber’s music. Yes, the same guy lighting up the league with 28+ points per game turns to pop melodies before stepping into NBA battles.
It might sound odd. But for a player thriving in one of the most high-pressure environments in sports, routine is everything.
Knicks star Jalen Brunson credits Justin Bieber in his rise
Jalen Brunson started this tradition back in college, during his Villanova days. A well-timed shuffle of Bieber’s “Purpose” album before a big NCAA tournament game sparked a superstition that stuck.
Two national championships and a breakout NBA career later, the pop ritual is now part of his routine before every game.
For New Yorkers, this fun detail only strengthens Brunson’s bond with the city. He’s not just winning games.
He’s doing it in his own way, with a mix of grit and personality that fans embrace. In a city built on style and swagger, Brunson listening to Bieber before torching defenses feels perfectly on-brand.
How Knicks fans have embraced the ritual
MSG loves its stars loud, proud, and real. And Jalen Brunson delivers on all fronts. While his stats dominate headlines, his quirks, like pregame Justin Bieber anthems, build the kind of cult following that transforms players into legends.
With each game, each bucket, and each shuffle of his playlist, Brunson is not only building toward a potential Finals appearance. He’s building a legacy. And in New York, where fandom runs deep, that kind of personal connection matters.