Vanessa Bryant Congratulates Knicks On Winning 2026 NBA Finals

Vanessa Bryant, the widow of the late-great NBA legend Kobe Bryant, was locked in on the NBA Finals over the past two weeks and had a message for the newly-minted champions, the New York Knicks.

Taking to Instagram after the Knicks won the title over the San Antonio Spurs, Bryant shared a photo of Finals MVP Jalen Brunson striking his signature pose and paid homage to her late husband with two simple words:

"Job's Finished."

As nearly all fans of the Black Mamba recall, one of his most iconic moments off the court was frowning and declaring "Job's not finished" when his team was on the cusp of winning an NBA championship.

Fans on Bryant and Brunson

Kobe Bryant retired before Brunson got into the NBA, and he passed away before Brunson truly came into his own as an NBA superstar. But NBA fans believe that Kobe would have been proud of the effort that Brunson and the Knicks put into winning the title:

"Kobe would've loved Brunson's game," one fan remarked on X.

"Kobe would've really loved Knick JB, I'm getting emotional again," another remarked.

"This means so much to me and I know it means even more to Brunson," wrote a third.

"For all who didn't know, Brunson was a close family friend of the Bryants. As well Kobe was a mentor of his."

"It's almost like she's been making a list or has a list of people that she knows Kobe actually likes and respects and those are the only people she shouts out."

"Kobe would have loved Brunson. He would have loved the mentality, he would have loved the chip on his shoulder, he would have loved the fire that burns inside him. That's what people mean when they say they see a little Kobe in him."

Jalen never played against Kobe, but his father Rick Brunson played and coached against Kobe numerous times during his NBA career. The Knicks superstar has shown his respect for the NBA icon in numerous ways, from playing in Kobe-edition Nike shoes to being friends with his family from a young age.

Just as Kobe is the greatest Laker of the 21st century, Brunson is now the greatest Knick of the 21st century.

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This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 8:56 AM.