Sixers Rival’s Star Player Attends Philadelphia Eagles Practice

New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson was in Philadelphia 76ers territory on Wednesday.
May 2, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) is introduced before action against the Philadelphia 76ers in game six of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) is introduced before action against the Philadelphia 76ers in game six of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

It’s the NBA offseason for all but two teams at this stage in the year. Outside of the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics, players on every other team, including the Philadelphia 76ers, have reached the summer break.

This year’s playoff opponent for Philadelphia didn’t make it to the 2024 NBA Finals. After the New York Knicks defeated the Sixers in six outings, they went on to compete against the Indiana Pacers in the second round.

New York was favored to take the series, but they couldn’t last in Game 7. With a 130-109 victory, the Pacers knocked the Knicks out in round two and punched their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they came up short against the Celtics.

New York star Jalen Brunson has made a lot of noise this offseason as he’s expected to land an extension with the Knicks sooner than later. While Brunson is likely to stick around with a Sixers rival for years to come, he remains a Philly fan for some of the city’s other sports — specifically the Philadelphia Eagles.

New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson was in Philadelphia 76ers territory on Wednesday.
Apr 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during overtime in game 5 of the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

This week, the Sixers’ neighbors got to work at OTAs ahead of the 2024 NFL season. Brunson, who is recovering from an injury that he suffered during the second round of the playoffs, was spotted at the Nova Care Complex for Eagles practice.

The New Brunswick, New Jersey-born guard has never been shy about his Eagles fandom. In fact, the Knicks star attempted to convert 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey to an Eagles fan earlier this year when the two teamed up at the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.

While Brunson’s ties to the Knicks certainly don't help his case with Philly fans, he clearly remains loyal to his favorite NFL team, as he’s been present at the team’s most recent practice session on Wednesday.


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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA