Jalen Brunson found a funny way to bring Luka Dončić back into the spotlight. During a lighthearted Kids Sports Reporters interview, the Knicks star named Dončić as the most famous person on his phone before joking that his former Mavericks teammate was “one of the worst teammates” he had ever had.
The joke landed because Brunson and Dončić still have history that fans remember well. They spent four seasons together in Dallas, helped the Mavericks make a deep 2022 playoff run, and now remain connected as two stars who built very different paths after their partnership ended.
Brunson’s answer instantly turned into a joke
Brunson recently participated in a casual interview featuring a young interviewer who asked him a variety of fun questions. When asked to name the most famous person on his phone, Brunson named Dončić before joking about him.
“Probably a basketball player,” Brunson said before naming Doncic. He then quickly added with a laugh, “I’m not a fan of Luka, he’s actually one of the worst teammates I’ve ever had.“
The comment was clearly delivered in jest, and Brunson’s laughter immediately signaled that he was teasing his former teammate. The humorous remark resonated with fans because of the well-documented friendship the two developed while playing together in Dallas.
Brunson and Doncic were Mavericks teammates from 2018 until Brunson signed with the Knicks in July 2022. During that stretch, they helped transform Dallas into a Western Conference contender and became one of Dallas’ most important backcourt pairings during its 2022 playoff run.
Their Mavericks partnership helped launch both careers
Brunson entered the NBA as the 33rd overall pick in the 2018 draft, the same year Dallas acquired Doncic. Although Doncic quickly became the face of the franchise, Brunson steadily developed into one of the league’s most reliable guards.
Their partnership reached another level during the 2021-22 season. Brunson averaged 16.3 points per game. The Mavericks reached the 2022 Western Conference Finals after advancing out of the first round for the first time since 2011.
That postseason run remains one of the most memorable stretches of Brunson’s Dallas career. With Doncic sidelined early in the 2022 playoffs because of a left calf strain, Brunson scored 41 points in Game 2 against Utah.
Fun fact: Brunson and Doncic helped the Mavericks reach the 2022 Western Conference Finals, marking the franchise’s deepest playoff run since winning the NBA championship in 2011.
Brunson even defended Doncic during the interview
The young interviewer wasn’t finished after Brunson’s initial joke. The child doubled down by teasing Doncic about his defensive reputation, creating another memorable moment.
Rather than pile on, Brunson quickly came to his former teammate’s defense while smiling. “He plays a little defense; he tries,” Brunson responded before laughing again.
The exchange highlighted the mutual respect that still exists between the former teammates. NBA fans often see playful trash talk between friends, and Brunson’s comments fit perfectly within that tradition.
The lighthearted interaction also reflects Brunson’s personality. Since becoming the Knicks’ franchise cornerstone, he has earned praise not only for his on-court leadership but also for his approachable demeanor off the court.
Fun fact: Brunson won two NCAA championships at Villanova in 2016 and 2018 before entering the NBA. He was also named the National Player of the Year during his final college season.
Fans continue to appreciate the Brunson-Doncic friendship
Social media users quickly embraced the clip because it reminded them of the chemistry Brunson and Doncic shared in Dallas. The pair frequently joked with one another during practices, postgame interviews, and team activities.
Although Brunson signed with the Knicks as a free agent on July 12, 2022, there has never appeared to be animosity between the two players. Instead, public interactions have consistently suggested a strong friendship remains intact.
Brunson has repeatedly spoken positively about his time in Dallas and the experiences he shared with Doncic. Likewise, Doncichas has publicly shown respect for Brunson’s growth, while Brunson has continued to speak warmly about his Dallas year.
Fun fact: Brunson finished fifth in MVP voting after the 2023-24 season, but in 2024-25, he received one fifth-place vote and tied for 10th.
Both players have remained prominent NBA stars
Sometimes, NBA partnerships end not because they fail, but because circumstances change. Brunson’s departure from Dallas allowed him to become the unquestioned leader of the Knicks, while Doncic continued carrying superstar responsibilities.
Brunson has become an All-NBA-level guard and later led the Knicks to the 2026 championship.” Better phrasing. Make sure the article does not imply only one specific award year unless cited. Doncic remains one of the NBA’s most productive and recognizable stars.
Their recent interaction serves as a reminder that competitive careers and personal friendships often coexist in professional sports. Even after years apart, Brunson still appears comfortable joking publicly about his former teammate.
For fans, the viral clip offered something refreshing: a genuine glimpse into a friendship that extends beyond wins, losses, and roster moves. In a league built on relationships, moments like these continue to resonate.
The NBA season can often be dominated by trade rumors and rivalry narratives, making authentic interactions like this especially appealing to supporters around the league.
TL;DR
• Jalen Brunson jokingly called Luka Doncic “one of the worst teammates” during a fun interview with a child reporter.
• Brunson was clearly joking and laughed while making the remark.
• The young interviewer later teased Doncic’s defense, prompting Brunson to defend his former teammate.
• Brunson and Doncic played together with the Mavericks from 2018 to 2022 and remain close friends.
• Fans enjoyed the exchange because it highlighted the strong bond between the two stars.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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