Dirk Nowitzki Roasted by Jalen Brunson with Savage Burn

Dirk Nowitzki caught a wild stray from his former teammate Jalen Brunson after the New York Knicks' 124-113 NBA Cup Championship game win against the San Antonio Spurs.

What happened?

Jalen Brunson took a hilarious shot at the Basketball Hall of Famer during the postgame show of NBA on Prime. Brunson brought up the 2006 NBA Finals loss to the Miami Heat, which Nowitzki had no desire to revisit. He joked that the loss happened "40 years ago", poking fun at Nowitzki's age.

Why it matters for Dirk Nowitzki

The roast was all in good fun, with both Brunson and Nowitzki laughing off the exchange. Brunson was a rookie with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018-19 NBA season, which was Nowitzki's final year in the league.

What comes next?

The Knicks' win was led by Brunson, who was named the 2025 NBA Cup Most Valuable Player after producing 25 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds versus the Spurs. As of December 17, 2025, Brunson's performance has been making headlines in the NBA. The exchange between Brunson and Nowitzki has been circulating on social media, with many fans enjoying the lighthearted moment. And the NBA community is still talking about the Knicks' big win. But Nowitzki is no stranger to good-natured jokes, having been a part of the NBA for over two decades. So it's no surprise that he took the roast in stride. The German star's legendary NBA career is still widely respected, despite his retirement.