Why Jalen Brunson Listens to Justin Bieber Before Every Game

New York Knicks All-Star guard Jalen Brunson has been one of the best players in the league this entire season and is a key reason why the team has won 12 consecutive games in the postseason. However, it sounds like the Knicks can thank Justin Bieber, as well.

During a recent interview with Jimmy Fallon, Brunson admitted that he actually listens to Justin Bieber before he takes the court every single game, going back to his time at the college level.

Brunson's Bieber Fever

All athletes have their favorite hype-up music. Some like rap and hip-hop, some opt for classic rock or heavy metal. But Brunson is very specific – it has to be Justin Bieber.

During a recent interview with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, Brunson revealed that he listens to Bieber right before he takes the court every game.

"I listen to Justin Bieber right before I run out," Brunson told Fallon, via ESPN.

"Every game?" Fallon asked?

"Every game," Brunson responded.

As it turns out, one specific album has turned into a bit of a good luck charm for Brunson.

His Good Luck Charm

Brunson explained that he began listening to one of Bieber's albums before games during his time at Villanova at the college level.

"I started in college. My sister actually put me on to the Purpose album," Brunson told Fallon. "The album is like, playing as I'm going to an NCAA Tournament game."

Brunson explained that every time he played the album, the team seemed to do well, so he kept listening to it.

"We end up winning, and then it happened again, so I was like 'Oh, this might be a thing,'" Brunson said.

That good luck charm carried him all the way to two national championships during his time at Villanova.

"Then we kept winning and winning, and we won a national championship," Brunson said. "And then my junior year, same thing. We won it all again. So I was like, 'Oh, I got to keep this ritual for life.'"

Clearly, the good luck has followed him to the NBA level, at least this season, as the Knicks have won 12 consecutive games this postseason to make it to the NBA Finals and take Game 1 from the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.

Needless to say, if the Knicks can win the series and clinch their first NBA Championship since 1973, the whole city might have a case of Bieber Fever.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 8:59 AM.