Brunson wins championship performance honor at 2026 ESPYS

The 2026 ESPY Awards, hosted by Marcello Hernandez of “Saturday Night Live,” took place Wednesday evening at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York.

Hernandez became the ESPYS’ first Latino host in 25 years, according to ESPN.

Jalen Brunson received the evening’s first major award, winning “Best Championship Performance” after guiding the New York Knicks to their first NBA championship since 1973.

The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games, with Brunson earning NBA Finals MVP honors after scoring a franchise Finals-record 45 points in the title-clinching Game 5, according to the NBA.

Brunson averaged 32.6 points, 4.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game in the Finals.

During his acceptance speech, Brunson recognized his family before thanking his coaches and teammates.

“I am forever indebted to them, thank you,” Brunson said.

Alysa Liu won “Best Breakthrough Athlete” following her gold-medal performance in figure skating at the Winter Olympics.

Liu captured the women’s singles and team titles at the Milano Cortina Games, completing a comeback after a two-year break and becoming the first American woman to win Olympic singles gold since 2002, according to U.S. Figure Skating.

“I had some really rough times in (the sport), and I took two years off, and so it really feels like I did break through in my own way, and for my sport,” Liu said.

Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry received the “Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian” award.

His Eat. Learn. Play. charity has helped feed children and provide playgrounds in the Oakland area while supporting students through nutritious meals, reading resources and opportunities to stay active, according to the foundation.

“When you hear Ali’s name, you think about greatness,” Curry said. “This award being connected to his legacy is incredibly humbling.”

Curry credited the program’s volunteers, teachers and other participants before urging fellow athletes to give back to their communities.

“Don’t ever forget you have a platform, you have a voice, you have everything you need to make a true impact, and I encourage you to find your Oakland.”

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and UCLA basketball player Lauren Betts were named the ESPYS’ best college athletes in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.

Betts spoke about the importance of mental health during her acceptance speech.

Mendoza led the Hoosiers to their first national championship before the Las Vegas Raiders selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to the team.

“Football is the ultimate team sport,” Mendoza said. “God bless, go Raiders, thank you, guys.”