LOS ANGELES, Oct 19 — Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks say they’re starting from scratch as they aim for an elusive NBA championship repeat with the San Antonio Spurs spearheading a host of rivals as the 2026 season tips off tomorrow.

“We just have to find a way to turn the page and move on,” NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Brunson said as the Knicks began their preparations in September three months after ending the storied franchise’s 53-year title drought with an epic defeat of San Antonio.

The Knicks return their starting five, but a sour note has already been sounded in the pre-season as star centre Karl-Anthony Towns said he was “extremely disappointed” by the Knicks’ public announcement that they were pausing contract extension talks with him and Josh Hart.