Knicks players embrace the Christmas spirit by giving back

It’s the season of giving, and the Knicks embraced it in full. While the Knicks’ Christmas Day matchup against the San Antonio Spurs may have captured the attention of basketball fans nationwide, the team’s focus extended well beyond the court, making a tangible impact in the communities they serve. Knicks captain Jalen Brunson took members of the Garden of Dreams Foundation and Covenant House on a Target shopping spree, bringing holiday cheer and essential support to those in need. OG Anunoby partnered with the Boys & Girls Club, treating kids to a shopping spree at JD Sports and Finish Line. Karl-Anthony Towns took a more personal approach, adopting a family for the holidays. He brought them to the Knicks’ Dec. 23 matchup against the Toronto Raptors, fulfilled their holiday wishlists, and made a financial contribution to ease their burdens during the season. Meanwhile, Knicks center Mitchell Robinson hosted a toy giveaway through his MR23 Foundation in Mount Vernon. His foundation’s mission is to “empower and uplift young individuals from underprivileged backgrounds through sports, education, and community engagement.” Mikal Bridges also went above and beyond, adopting three families through the Garden of Dreams Foundation. Bridges didn’t just check off their holiday wishlists — he exceeded expectations, purchasing 55 gifts in total along with $1,000 NIKE gift cards for each family. He also hosted the families in a private suite during the Dec. 23 game against the Raptors, ensuring they experienced the joy of the season alongside him. For Bridges, this effort was deeply personal. Each family was led by a single mother, which resonated with him as someone raised by one himself. “It’s awesome just to be able to be in this position to do that,” Bridges said. “I grew up with a single mother, so I know how much those mothers go through. And I don’t even know to the full extent because there’s stuff my mom did that I probably don’t know to this day. “They work so much, and it’s not easy. A lot of them have multiple kids — my mom just had me — so I know it’s even tougher. So it’s good to be in this position to give back and show them that maybe not everyone sees it, but I see it. I appreciate you.” For the Knicks, the season of giving wasn’t just about scoring points on the court — it was about making them count where they matter most. The NBA announced the Knicks-Spurs Christmas Day game averaged 4.91 million viewers, making it the most-watched Christmas Day opener since 2011. Viewership for that game was up 98% over last year’s Christmas opener, a Knicks home win over the Milwaukee Bucks. “It’s not easy. It’s a holiday. It’s a family day. These guys, they make a lot of sacrifices. They have young kids and so we also know it’s an honor and a privilege to be playing on this day,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said after the Knicks’ victory over the Spurs. “So we embrace that. We also know what it means to our city and our fans. And so we wanted to give them something to be proud of. So hopefully we can spend the rest of the day with our families and then on to the next one.” The Sacramento Kings fired head coach Mike Brown amid a five-game losing streak just months after signing him to a three-year extension. “You hate to see it,” Thibodeau told reporters in Orlando on Friday. “It’s part of what we go through. Mike is a terrific person and great coach.”