Knicks winless since Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s viral Jalen Brunson reference

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The New York Knicks have gone winless since New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani made a viral reference to star level guard Jalen Brunson throughout the mayor's inauguration speech Jan. 1.

The Knicks dropped their fourth straight Monday with a lopsided 121-90 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Their skid started with an in depth two-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs Dec. 31. Mamdani delivered his speech early the following day, and the Knicks have gone 0-3 since, with losses to the Philadelphia 76ers and under-.500 Atlanta Hawks.

Many social media customers have identified the Knicks have not managed to win for the reason that speech reference, together with comic Michael Rapaport.

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Round 9 minutes into Mamdani's speech Jan. 1, he proclaimed "excellence is not the exception," including that town "expects greatness" from "our level guard at Madison Sq. Backyard." Throughout that comment, the mayor lined his face along with his hand, showing to copy Brunson's celebration however then transitioned the gesture right into a wipe of his face.

Photographs of the second unfold throughout social media, with some Knicks followers appreciating the reference. However many others within the metropolis and across the nation criticized Mamdani for his democratic socialist agenda.

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New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivers his inaugural tackle Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, outdoors Metropolis Corridor. (Fox Information/Pool)

Former Kansas Metropolis Chiefs participant Chris Manno was one of many many to criticize Mamdani, suggesting Brunson will "detest" the brand new mayor.

"The Captain is gonna detest this clown quickly as he learns how a lot of his subsequent contract can be going to help those that don’t really feel the necessity to work in that corrupt metropolis," Manno wrote in a response to the clip on X.

Nevertheless, different customers praised Mamdani for the gesture and reference throughout the speech.

Brunson acquired 27 write-in votes throughout the latest mayoral election.

In October, the Knicks despatched a cease-and-desist letter to Mamdani's marketing campaign after he used a brand much like the workforce’s for a marketing campaign advert, Fox Information Digital confirmed on the time.

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Mamdani posted the emblem on Instagram with the caption, "That is our yr. That is our time. #NewYorkForever." The situation for the publish was Madison Sq. Backyard. It has since been deleted.

In an announcement, the Knicks made it clear they "don't endorse Mr. Mamdani for Mayor."

"The NY Knicks have despatched NYC Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani a cease-and-desist letter for utilizing the NY Knicks brand to advertise his candidacy. The Knicks wish to make it clear that we don't endorse Mr. Mamdani for Mayor, and we object to his use of our copyrighted brand. We'll pursue all authorized treatments to implement our rights."

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Jackson Thompson is a sports activities reporter for Fox Information Digital overlaying vital political and cultural points in sports activities, with an investigative lens. Jackson's reporting has been cited in federal authorities actions associated to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media shops together with The New York Instances, The Los Angeles Instances, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Related Press and ESPN.com.