Jalen Brunson didn’t have to pick up a racket to become part of the story at the US Open semifinals. The Knicks star was in the building Thursday night as Ben Shelton took on Frances Tiafoe, and Shelton made it clear afterward that Brunson’s presence mattered to him.
Shelton beat Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in the all-American semifinal to reach the US Open finals, where he’ll face Alexander Zverev. After the match, Shelton told the crowd that seeing familiar faces in Arthur Ashe Stadium, including Brunson, helped push him through.
“I think I’ve grown more mature, more focused. I know what my job is out here. 100% committed to those goals. It’s not easy playing here at the Arthur Ashe [Stadium], playing in front of all of your favorite athletes and movie stars.”
“So to be able to keep your head down and focus for over three hours is not an easy task. I keep on looking at the screen like, ‘Oh shoot, Jalen Brunson is here,’ Shelton admitted.
Brunson’s profile has surged since leading the Knicks to their first championship in decades, and his courtside appearance fit the new reality around him: he’s no longer just a basketball star, he’s become one of the names other athletes notice. Shelton even singled him out as one of his favorite athletes.
Brunson wasn’t alone in the crowd. He sat next to Ben Stiller and was joined by Knicks teammate Josh Hart. Trae Young, Devin Booker and James Harden were also among the stars in attendance for the semifinal matchup.
There was also a lighthearted Brunson-Hart moment at the red carpet entrance that made the rounds on social media. Brunson looked noticeably over it when Hart and his wife, Shannon Hart, were trying to get a photo with Brunson and his wife, Ali.
Josh at US Open: “Hi Jalen!”
Shannon: “Jalen!”
Ali: “Wait! Let’s take a pic”
Jalen: “No no no. No no”
(nypost) pic.twitter.com/SQR4VoZDAI
- New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) September 12, 2026
Knicks fans jumped on the clip right away, using it as more evidence of the playful dynamic between Brunson and Hart.
“This is a generational type of brotherhood. That’s why this iteration of the Knicks makes us believe.”
“He said no so fast it sounded rehearsed 😭 Josh really can’t catch a break.”
“He’s avoiding drama from Josh 😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣.”
“Jalen trying to keep the kayfabe alive.”
“Josh Hart is a gem.”
“This is the greatest championship offseason of all time 🗽🏆.”
The back-and-forth fits right in with the kind of relationship the two have shown before. After the Knicks won the championship, Hart said Brunson was not his best friend, and Brunson reacted like he’d been personally offended, joking that he would have called Hart his closest friend if not for Hart’s antics.
That kind of personality has helped make Brunson a bigger draw well beyond basketball. He’s gone from being the face of the Knicks to a national sports celebrity, and whether he’s on the court or sitting courtside, people keep noticing.
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