8 ways faith and family quietly showed up at the NBA finals

When the New York Knicks miraculously erased a 29-point deficit in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, fans were downright rapturous when asked about their feelings.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this in the history of me being alive,” one said.

“The best feeling of our life,” said a father standing by his son, who added, “You will never feel anything better. Nothing will ever top this.”

New York Times journalist Matt Flegenheimer recounted how the NBA finals “started to feel something like magic — the divine bounces, the miracle comebacks, the unstoppable joy.”

Lauren Jackson also described being struck by the famously crowded, amped-up city, where “millions were, for a few hours, entirely focused on one thing.” She observed “the entire city shake and scream after each win ” — an elated mood she said “bordered on religious ecstasy.”

For those looking closely, however, deep faith and family connections showed up more quietly.

The NBA Finals MVP, Jalen Brunson , grew up with a mother devoted to God. ESPN reports that Sandra Brunson texts her son a Bible verse before every game — including the following verse Saturday morning before the final game, with extra emphasis on a few words.

“When you go through deep waters, I WILL BE WITH YOU. When you go through rivers of difficulty, YOU WILL NOT DROWN. Isaiah 43:2.”