The Big Lead

J. R. Smith’s wild ‘ring fever’ moment with Jalen Brunson goes viral

J. R. Smith was present at Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals as the Knicks staved off elimination against the Pacers. He shared a wild postgame moment with Jalen Brunson.

By Divij Kulkarni

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson looks on against the Indiana Pacers during the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson looks on against the Indiana Pacers during the 2025 NBA Playoffs. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks took care of business in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. Playing in front of a passionate NYC crowd stuffed with the biggest celebrities while facing elimination is a daunting task, but they got the job done.

Despite the Knicks needing to win two more games to advance, including one in Indiana, the mood was surprisingly jubilant in Madison Square Garden after the game. One of the people who seemed most thrilled was former Knick J. R. Smith, who shared a hilarious moment with Brunson postgame.

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JB was trying to do an ESPN interview, and Smith kept rubbing his hand with two NBA championship rings on it on his shoulder. "You got ring fever now," he could be heard saying.

NBA fans thought the moment was an utterly hilarious one, sharing their reactions on social media.

"Blessing of the Henny God," one fan wrote. "This is everything to me," a Knicks fan said about the hilarious interaction.

"JR Smith just rubbed the NY Knicks out of championship contention for the next 50 years lol... Knicks fans should be this man," a third fan said.

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"This is an all-time J. R. moment," a fourth fan claimed. "Jalen Brunson he’s gonna make sure KNICKS IN 7," another added.

It'll take a lot more than some J. R. Smith mojo for the Knicks to complete what would be an unbelievable 3-1 comeback. No matter what happens, though, fans can be sure that Brunson will do everything he can to get it done somehow.

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