Jalen Brunson revealed his mom, Sandra, has a secret nickname for him so he knows when she’s cheering for him in the stands. Brunson sat down with Craig Melvin for the Oct. 20 episode of the “Glass Half Full” podcast, released the same day as the NBA tip-off. Brunson and the Knicks will fac e LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers at 7 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden. Since leading the Knicks to the 2026 NBA championship, Brunson has been hailed the “King of New York,” a nickname the point guard largely rejects. “I don’t self-crown myself that name,” he told Craig. But the New Brunswick native does embrace other nicknames. “My family calls me JJ, but now that nickname is for my daughter,” he said. Craig then turned to Sandra Brunson, who was sitting off-screen, and asked what she calls Brunson. She simply answered, “son.” “She just lied,” Brunson chimed in with a laugh. “She’s being a great mother right now not saying her favorite nickname. “There’s a very distinct name you call me during the game where I can vividly, distinctly hear you, and you’re in the stands. But that’s for us, right?” he continued, addressing his mom. NBA Oct 14 When does NBA on NBC return? Theme song, broadcast team and more for 2026-27 NBA Aug 11 NBA opening night schedule: Here are the games that will tip off the season NBA Oct 14 When was the last repeat NBA champion? Looking back at history as Knicks defend title Craig was visibly vexed at the reveal. “Now hang on, you just said, Ma, you got a secret nickname I can hear from the stands. She confirms. And that’s gonna be it?” he asked. “Yeah, because if people start saying it, I’m not going to know if it’s her,” Brunson replied. Ever the journalist, Craig had a few more follow-up questions. He got one hint from Brunson: “It’s a food.” “You realize what’s gonna happen next season? You’re going to have a slew of fans screaming, ‘Sushi!’” Craig joked. “I promise you it’s not sushi,” Brunson responded. Brunson and Sandra have previously done interviews together, including on TODAY in August. In addition to having a special nickname for her son, Sandra revealed she sends him a good luck text before every game. During his “Glass Half Full” interview, Brunson also opened up about life as a dad to daughter Jordyn James, “JJ,” who turned 2 in July. “She has me wrapped, and she’s running the house” Brunson said of Jordyn. “She looks at you and gives you kind of the side eye or the smile, you can’t help but laugh,” he added. “She can do whatever she wants for now.” Brunson and his high school-sweetheart Ali wed in July 2023. They welcomed baby girl Jordyn one year later. Craig asked the point guard if he sees a future in basketball for Jordyn. “I could 100% see it,” Brunson said. “I think the one thing I see the most is seeing how stubborn she is. I just know that whatever she does, she’s going to put her mind to it, and she’s going to find a way to succeed.” This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY: Jalen Brunson Gets A Big Assist From Knicks Teammates In ‘SNL’ Opening Monologue Jalen Brunson Shines as A Transfer Student in Hilarious ‘SNL’ Spoof of ‘High School Musical’ Jalen Brunson Reacts to Facing 76ers — and LeBron James — In 2026 NBA Tipoff Game This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less