New York Congresswoman ‘Worried’ About Antisemitism at Knicks Parade Because Jalen Brunson’s Wife Is Jewish
by Shiryn Ghermezian
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson holds the Finals MVP trophy during the championship celebration after game five of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Photo: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
US Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) said she is concerned about antisemitism being on display at the New York Knicks’ victory parade on Thursday to celebrate their NBA Championship win because the team’s captain, Jalen Brunson, is married to someone Jewish.
The Knicks won their first NBA title in 53 years on Saturday night after beating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5. Brunson scored 45 points in the game and was named Most Valuable Player. Afterward, an estimated tens of thousands of Knicks fans took to the streets of New York City to celebrate but some turned violent in their excitement.
“As the game progressed and then following the game, the crowds became increasingly destructive, and there were many incidents of incredibly reckless and dangerous behavior,” according to the New York Police Department. Police said school buses were set on fire and destroyed with bats and people jumping on them, a 17-year-old was shot, there were four stabbings, firearms were discovered, and fights broke out in the streets. Ten NYPD officers were injured, and a total of 63 people were arrested.
None of the violence was reported to be antisemitic in nature. Still, when Tenney appeared on Fox Business on Tuesday, she mentioned that Brunson’s wife, Dr. Ali Marks Brunson, is Jewish and how that could result in antisemitism being displayed at the victory parade this week. Tenney made the comments about Brunson’s Jewish wife after denouncing the violence by Knicks fans following Game 5.
“I’m worried about the violence,” Tenney said. “And yet, look at Jalen Brunson. What an amazing American citizen. His wife is Jewish. She’s a, you know, a physical therapist. Are we gonna see more antisemitism in this parade? I hope not.”
“I hope people can unify around sports,” she added. “It’s one of the great things about sports is we can unify. And we can put political differences aside, and I hope we’re gonna continue to do that.”
Brunson and his wife were high school sweethearts in Lincolnshire, Illinois, and married in 2023. Their daughter, Jordyn James Brunson, turns two next month. The NBA shared on social media a video of the couple embracing immediately after the Knicks’ NBA Championship win.
New York is home to the world’s largest Jewish population outside of Israel. According to data recently released by the NYPD, antisemitic incidents in New York City increased 71 percent in May compared to the same month in 2025. There were 41 confirmed antisemitic hate crimes targeting the Jewish community last month and 60 percent of all confirmed hate crimes in May were antisemitic.
Antisemitic hate crimes have been on the rise in New York City since Mayor Zohran Mamdani was sworn into office on Jan. 1. Since the election of the anti-Israel and BDS-supporting mayor, there have been 152 confirmed antisemitic hate crimes in New York City.
The Knicks victory parade on Thursday will begin at 10 am at Battery Park and conclude at City Hall Plaza, where Mamdani will present the Knicks with a ceremonial key to the city.
