Knicks win NBA championship and Jordan Clarkson makes Asian American history

ESPN

Jordan Clarkson has always expressed pride of his Filipino heritage

History wasn't just made in the 2026 NBA Finals—it was completely rewritten for the FilAm community. For a community that has loved basketball from afar for generations, seeing a player of Filipino heritage hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy was the ultimate validation.

Clarkson expressed being "speechless" and feeling that winning the New York Knicks championship was "crazy bro." Making history as the first Filipino-American player to win an NBA title, he added, "Just blessed bro, thankful man. So yeah, sacrifice baby. One day at a time, man"

The series itself was a cultural watershed moment. It marked the first time in NBA history that two players of Filipino descent faced each other on the league's grandest stage: veteran guard Jordan Clarkson of the Knicks and sensational rookie Dylan Harper of the Spurs.

The dynamic sequence

The defining sequence of this cultural matchup happened late in the third quarter of Game 3. The crowd witnessed a rapid-fire exchange of pure heritage and skill:

• The Veteran's Strike: Jordan Clarkson shook his defender, stepped back, and drilled a spectacular three-pointer to ignite the Knicks bench.
• The Rookie's Answer: Before the cheers could even subside, San Antonio pushed the ball up the floor where Dylan Harper answered immediately, burying his own three-pointer on the very next possession.

Clarkson's journey since he turned pro in 2014, has shown Filipino players that they can belong on basketball's biggest stage.

        RELATED: Clarkson and Harper make history in NBA finals.

Unlike many players with foreign ties, Clarkson became the face of Philippine basketball on the global stage. After years of discussions with FIBA and the NBA  regarding his eligibility, he suited up for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2018 Asian Games; he was rushed into the roster just days before the tournament and immediately became the focal point of the national team's offense.

Since then, Clarkson has played in several international tournaments including Olympic-qualifying tourneys for the Philippines where basketball is the most popular sport and fans can cite the latest results of their favorite NBA teams.

        RELATED: The Golden State Warriors have an Asian connection

While Jalen Brunson carried the Knicks' scoring load to break New York's 53-year title drought, Clarkson's victory cements his legacy in NBA and Asian American history. He didn't just win a ring; he broke a glass ceiling for every Asian American athlete striving to prove they belong at the highest pinnacle of professional sports.

For a nation that has spent generations loving the game, Clarkson's breakthrough and the emergence of rookie Harper into a genuine emerging star feels less like the end of a long wait and more like the beginning of a future that suddenly seems possible.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

Filipino American players will make history in NBA championship series

Two Filipino Americans, the Spurs' Dylan Harper, left, and the Knicks'' Jordan Clarkson will
make history when they play in the National Basketball Association Championship series.

If you want to be a witness to history, watch a basketball game June 3. Not just any game. I'm talking about the championship series of the National Basketball Association where, for the first time, two Filipino American players will play key roles for their respective teams.

Jordan Clarkson of the New York Knicks and rookie Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs will break barriers as the first players of Filipino descent to clash in the NBA Finals.

The two players will ommand the floor as second-unit guards, but they are different stages of their careers as they step onto the NBA's biggest stage:

Jordan Clarkson: The former Sixth Man of the Year adjusted his game this season after signing a minimum deal with New York. While his outside shooting was erratic during the regular season, his veteran poise, physical driving, and surprising offensive rebounding have provided a dependable edge for the Knicks' second unit throughout this deep postseason run. In the past, the 33-year old  has proven with his past teams that he could be an offensive force even though with the Knicks, his numbers are down.

Dylan Harper: The Spurs' 20-year old freshman guard has been a revelation, providing a fearless spark off the bench but he's surprised the coaches and occasionally starts. Despite battling the mental strain of the playoffs and physical soreness, he proved his resilience by hitting crucial shots to help San Antonio survive a grueling seven-game Western Conference Finals against Oklahoma City during which he elevated his game earning comparisons to the likes of Kobe Bryant and Manu Ginóbili for his instant scoring off the bench.

FYI: Watch the 2026 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs live on ABC and stream via the ESPN App. Coverage begins on Wednesday, June 3, with all games tipping off at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT).

Both players are proud of their Filipino heritage and the historic nature of their meeting in the championship best-of-seven series. "I think my focus is on these next games, this next series. Obviously, it’s a blessing to represent the Philippines, where I’m from," Harper told reporters after the Spurs' 111-103 Game 7 win.

"I think me and Jordan Clarkson are doing a great job doing that. My biggest thing is to focus on what's in front of me.”

Clarkson has expressed joy and pride over Harper entering the league, noting that they are successfully expanding Filipino representation in the NBA.

Likewise, Clarkson, who plays on the Philippines' national team in FIBA-sponsored tournaments, said he is focused on the games ahead. The last time he played in the NBA finals was in 2018 when he was the Cleveland Cavaliers.

During the regular season, the veteran-laden Knicks hold a 2-1 edge over the energetic youthful Spurs, with each team's victories coming on their home courts.

Never before has a player with Filipino ancestry won an NBA title. With Clarkson and Harper on opposing teams, that streak will be snapped.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

Filipino American basketball players shine in NBA Conference Finals

'Representing' in the NBA, from left, Jared McCain, Jordan Clarkson and Dylan Harper.

History has already been made in the 2026 NBA playoffs, ensuring that an NBA champion of Filipino descent will be crowned this year. With Dylan Harper, Jared McCain, and Jordan Clarkson all anchoring squads in the Conference Finals, there is a staggering 75% mathematical probability that the Larry O'Brien trophy will be hoisted by a player representing Pinoy heritage.

For Asian American basketball fans who have long watched these courts from the sidelines, this isn't just a deep postseason run — it is a groundbreaking cultural milestone.

The Filipino American ballers are:

Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs): The standout rookie—who carries a 50% Filipino lineage through his mother, Maria Pizarro-Harper—cruised through the opening round by averaging 22.4 points and 6.8 assists per game. He has since become the youngest guard in league history to record multiple playoff double-doubles.

Jared McCain (Oklahoma City Thunder): The charismatic guard, who proudly claims his 10% Filipina maternal roots, provided lethal floor spacing in the first round. He averaged 14.2 points while shooting a blazing 41% from the three-point line to push OKC into a deep postseason run.

Jordan Clarkson (New York Knicks): The veteran statesman of Pinoy basketball pride (25% Filipino heritage) provided his signature spark off the bench as the sixth man, in the first round. He averaged 16.8 points and 4.1 assists, steadying the Knicks' secondary unit during high-pressure moments

How to catch the Conference Finals action

The television and streaming broadcast rights are split cleanly by conference for this round of the postseason:

Conference / Series	Network TV Channels	Premium Streaming Platforms
Western Conference Finals (Spurs vs. Thunder)	NBC	Peacock
Eastern Conference Finals (Knicks vs. Cavaliers)	ESPN / ABC (Game 3)	ESPN+ / WatchESPN

For cord-cutters without traditional cable, every single matchup can be streamed live via live-TV digital platforms such as DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV. Complete series tip-off times and daily schedule updates are hosted directly on the NBA Official Website.

After the first game in each conference, Clarkson's New York Knicks and Harper's Spurs hold a 1-0 edge in the best-of-seven series. Both hard-fought games wound up in overtime, with the Spurs surviving double overtime over the reigning champion Thunder.

If you're a basketball fanatic, this time of year is the ultimate and with these basketball players representing our community, the playoffs have become more meaningful and personal.

FYI: For live updates and the full, detailed schedule, visit the NBA East Finals Page and NBA West Finals Page. I can also provide the 2026 NBA Finals schedule or key defensive matchups.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

Clarkson meets Green on the NBA court and makes history

Jordan Clarkson, left, and Jaylen Green made history Thursday.

 

It took a long time -- 75 years -- before two players of Filipino descent met on a National Basketball Association court.

When the Utah Jazz faced the Houston Rockets in the Toyota Center in Houston, history was made when Utah's Jordan Clarkson and Houston's Jalen Green played against each other Thursday evening (Oct. 28).

The night marked the first time two players with Filipino heritage played in the same game. Clarkson’s grandmother is from the Philippines, as does Green’s grandfather.

The outcome of the game -- Utah 122, Houston, 91 -- didn't matter to Filipino American basketball fans on the Rocket's first Filipino Heritage Month. 

The stats don't tell the complete story. Clarkson, the most experience of the two players, wound up with 16 points, 16 rebounds and 3 assists. Nineteen-year old Green, ironicly his fifth game in the NBA, ended the evening with 13 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

Since both players were guards, they sometimes found themselves guarding each other. Ironically, Green sported a jersey with "0" on it and Clarkson's number was "00." Despite their similar zero numbers, they scored big with the Filipinos who attended the game. 

In honor of the historic occasion, the Rockets held Filipino Heritage Night at Toyota Center, where T-shirts with Green’s No. 0 were given to each fan. The fans were also treated with an exclusive Q&A with Green. To their delight and surprise, Clarkson came out of the visitors' locker room to join them.

"Just us two being here, it's super inspirational for the youth and every Filipino-American, every Filipino, anybody with Filipino blood," Clarkson said after the game.

Basketball is wildly popular in the Philippines, A basketball court, even with a dirt floor, can be found in the smallest barangay (neighborhood). Every Filipino basketball fan follows Clarkson's feats on the court and his jersey is one of the most popular in the Philippines. He has played with Gilas Pilipinas, one of the pro teams in the Philippines Basketball Association, the NBA's counterpart. 

"When I step on the floor," Clarkson started to say, and then corrected himself to include Green, "when we step on the floor, we know we represent the country, represent our people, and we go out there and do what we do."

"We feel the love, we feel the support," added Clarkson..

Filipino American and NBA history will be made in a basketball game, Oct. 28 Jazz vs. Rockets

When the NBA's Houston Rockets host the Utah Jaz on Oct. 28, expect a lot of Filipino Americans to be sitting in the Toyota Center.

Besides being Filipino Heritage Night, it will be the first time in the history of the sport that two players of Filipino descent play against each other, as the Rockets talented rookie Jalen Green takes on Jazz's outstanding sixth man Jordan Clarkson.

October 28 is the first time the Texas team has held a Filipino Heritage Night. Fans can avail a hat and a special post-game Q&A with Jalen Green. In addition to that, all fans in attendance will be given a special Jalen Green shirt.

The 6'-5" Green, who opted to forego a college scholarship to play in the NBA's G-league, was selected by the Rockets as the second overall pick in this year's NBA draft.

The Rockets aren’t the first to host a Filipino Heritage Night in the NBA. The Brooklyn Nets did a similar event in 2016 when Clarkson visited as a member of the L.A. Lakers visited, in honor of the huge Filipino community in New York and New Jersey. 

The Golden State Warriors , with a fan base drawing from the large Filipino American community in the San Francisco Bay area, has been holding a Filipino Heritage Night annually for years. 

However, the Jazz-Rocket game in Houson will be a bit more special with the meeting of Clarkson and Green.

Green, the Rockets prized rookie guard, is born to a Filipina mother, and has played in the Philippines multiple times, albeit only in exhibition games. Jordan Clarkson's mother is also from the Philippines. 

Jordan Clarkson played for the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Games.

Both players may have a chance to be teammates representing the Philippines in FIBA-sanctioned events in the future.

Clarkson has already represented the Philippines in international play, suiting up for them during the 2018 Asian Games and Green has also expressed an interest in doing the same. 

“I love the Philippines. They show me love and support and I’m just happy to represent them," said Green. "I have family out there”.

Jordan Clarkson helps rescue vandalized Filipino American food truck

 

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The Yum Yum Food Truck is sporting a new paint job, top. Below, the Filipino American food truck before it was vandalized.

When Salt Lake City celebrates Philippine Independence Day this Saturday, June 12, expect long lines at the Yum Yum Food Truck with its newly painted design in the form of the Philippine flag.

The food truck that serves Asian fusion and Filipino cuisine, was targeted over the weekend by vandals who painted anti-Asian slurs and derogatory images on the truck.

The truck's new eye-catching design is courtesy of Utah Jazz Jordan Clarkson who caught wind of what happened to the Yum Yum truck and paid for new wrap around the truck. Clarkson, who is Filipino American, was named Sixth Man of the Year for the NBA for his scoring prowess coming off the bench for the No. 1 ranked Jazz.

Clarkson wrote on social media: "It hurt me deeply to see that Salt Lake's @yumyumasian food truck was recently vandalized – I know the pain that hateful language and racism causes. With help from @identitygraphix we'll be able to restore the truck and hopefully lift Ben and his family's spirit!! #StopAsianHate."The owners of the truck thanked those involved in a Facebook post:

"It has been an emotional few days. The love and support that we got from all of you has been deeply heartfelt. My family can't thank you guys enough. Special thanks to Utah Jazz's Jordan Clarkson and Dan from Identity graphics for the new look. We want to thank everyone individually in a couple weeks when we have our LOVE celebration in the park and feed the community. Thanks to Mayor Joy Petro, Councilman Clint Morris, Councilman Zach Bloxham, Dustin, everyone in the neighborhood and all of you angels. Love prevails. We are going to have our grand reopening this Saturday at the Philippine independence day celebration in slc."

Clarkson's good deed was appreciated. "Man, that guy's a hero. This tragedy is a blessing, I would say. Just people coming together. I've never seen anything like it," said Ben Pierce, one of the truck's owners.

“We are not going to have hatred stop us from sharing our culture," the owners posted.

"I really can't describe how much this means to us right now," the truck's owner wrote on Instagram. "I am overwhelmed that in the midst of playoffs #jordanclarkson took time to support our food truck and is having the wrap done on our truck.

The Jazz are playing the L.A. Clippers in the NBA's Western semi-finals and lead the best-of-seven series, 1-0.

When the two teams play again Thursday, June 10, the Pierces will be in the stands rooting for their team after the Jazz gave tickets to the family.

On Wednesday, Layton Police announced they are still looking for those responsible for the vandalism and offered a $500 reward for information that leads to their arrest.

Layton Mayor Joy Petro told KSL Newsradio that she had visited the owners and was "sorry it happened to them."

“And certainly this is not how I see nor portray our city,” she said.

Jordan Clarkson wins NBA's Sixth Man Award

JORDAN CLARKSON 

Jordan Clarkson is having the best year of his NBA career. The Utah Jazz guard was named the league's Sixth Man of the Year Monday. 

The Filipino American is the first Asian American to earn that distinction as the most impactful player coming off the bench.

This past season he was a reliable scoring machine giving the league-leading Jazz a shot of energy or a momentum changer when the starters might be having an off-night.

"For me, it was tough," Clarkson told TNT's "Inside The NBA." "My first couple years because I started in L.A. during that time, but just coming to myself and trying to find the impact I can have in this game, and what I can bring to it. When I got that role, I just kind of took it, worked at it, and this situation -- being traded here to Utah from Cleveland -- it really enhanced everything, just because everybody knows their role and knows what they are doing.

"I just accepted it and just took it as one and kept rolling with it."

In this year's shortened 68 game season, even though he wasn't a starter, Clarkson averaged a career-high 18.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 26.7 minutes.

The L.A. Lakers picked Clarkson 46th overall in the 2014 NBA draft. As a rookie he was a starter, a role he played his first two years. At one point, he and Jeremy Lin played at the same time, they formed the first Asian American backcourt in the NBA.

When Luke Walton became coach, he told Clarkson that he would be coming of the bench. Clarkson took that a demotion and sought to prove Walton wrong. 

However, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers where he floundered, unsure of his role. Two years ago, he was picked up by the Jazz, which wound up having the best record in the NBA this season.

The No. 1-ranked Jazz is in the playoffs and on Sunday, they lost their first game against the 8th-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. The Jazz have a good chance to win the NBA crown and Jordan will be called on to come off the bench and provide a burst of energy and points.

Another Filipino high school basketball player signs up with the G League

Kai Sotto towered over his opponents in the Philippines.

Another Filipino straight out of high school has decided to skip college and sign up the NBA's G League.

Center Kai Sotto, a 7'2" prospect out of the Philippines, is following in the footsteps of another Filipino American highschooler, Jalen Green, who is also foregoing the traditional college route before turning pro.

The two will be teammates playing for a team based in Southern California. They met earlier when Californian Green played in the Philippines. 

"He played in the Philippines twice and we actually met in some FIBA tournaments," said Sotto to ESPN. "We're good friends. We talked a lot when he was in the Philippines. The first time he was there, he was the one who told me that I should play here in America."
Sotto turned 18 years old on Monday, April 11. He wants to become the first NBA player born in the Philippines. 

Sotto will become the G League’s first international player, according to journalist Shams Charania of The Athletic website.

The center, who turned 18 on Monday, is being heralded as potentially becoming the first fully-Filipino NBA player and he took a step closer to his dream on Monday by signing for the development league.

“There hasn't been any full-blooded Filipino that has been to the NBA and I just want to be the first one and I just want to show everyone that we can also make it,” Sotto told Bleacher Report in a mini-documentary earlier this year.

It is a move that could be worth more $500,000 over a one-year deal reports ESPN. Gaining experience in the G League will allow Sotto to develop and acquaint himself to the American-style of basketball.

"I'm really looking to develop] my strength and confidence to play against professional basketball players here in [the United States of America. And I think it will be a great preparation for me when it comes to the NBA," Sotto told ESPN.
Currently, Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson is the only Filipino American in the NBA.

Previously, Raymond Townsend, was the only Filipino American to play in the pros splitting three seasons with the Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers.

Jordan Clarkson reacts to his idol Kobe Bryant's death

Jordan Clarkson, who played with Kobe Bryant early in his career on the LA Lakers team. He thanked Bryant for being "more than a teammate," one of many athletes who took to social media expressing their grief over Bryant's death on Sunday.

Filipino American Clarkson, who was traded by the Lakers to the Cleveland Cavaliers, then to the Utah Jazz this off-season, is the only Asian American playing in the NBA since the departure of Jeremy Lin. Lin, who was now plays in China with a professional basketball team, the Beijing Ducks.

Clarkson was one of only 18 players invited to take part in Bryant's mini-camp last summer.

But the soon-to-be free agent spent the summer trying to transform into a different kind of beast, developing the Mamba Mentality while working out with legend Kobe Bryant.

“Those were like the best two days of my summer,” Clarkson said. “He sat us down and we had a whole schedule. I feel like those two days I learned so much and it was great. Amazing process.”

Clarkson's takeaway from the camp was developing that the Mamba Mentality. It’s about a player constantly trying to be the best version of himself. It’s about improving each day.

Upon hearing about Bryant's death, Lin, who was also a former teammate of Bryant and Clarkson on the Lakers, posted this on his twitter account:

Jordan Clarkson sends emotional message to his Filipino teammates

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Jordan Clarkson, (No. 6) celebrates with the Philippine national basketball tem.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS GUARD Jordan Clarkson on Saturday took to social media to offer an emotional reaction to his brief tenure with the Philippines team that he played with in the recently concluded Asian Games. 

When the Games began, Clarkson, who is part Fililpino, wasn't sure he would be eligible to play for the national team of the Philippines because of the NBA's archaic rules. At the last minute, the NBA relented and allowed Clarkson and two members of China's team to play in the Asian Games in Indonesia.

The Philippine team didn't do as well as they wanted, finishing fifth overall. Clarkson was a major part of the team’s success, averaging 26.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists.  In the final match last Friday, Clarkson played his best game with 29 points, included five 3-pointers.

Cavalier fans who have followed Clarkson's exploits hope the international experience will give the Filipino America, one of only two Asian Americans in the NBA, a foundation to build on and restore his confidence after a disappointing first season with the Cavs last year.

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Jordan Clarkson will play on Philippine national basketball team

Filipino American Jordan Clarkson will play for the Philippines.

IN A LAST-MINUTE ruling, the National Basketball Association is allowing two Chinese and a Filipino American  compete in the Asian Games.

Zhou Qi of the Houston Rockets and Ding Yanyuhang of the Dallas Mavericks will play for China and the Cleveland Cavaliers' Jordan Clarkson will play for the Phlippines in the games being held in Jakarta, Indonesia this year.

After initially ruling that players couldn't take part in the Asian Games, the NBA decided Tuesday to make a onetime exception to allow three players to play.
In a statement, the NBA said:

"The NBA's agreement with FIBA stipulates that NBA players can participate in the Olympics, the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Continental Cup competitions and associated qualifying tournaments. Because the Asian Games are not one of those competitions, NBA players under contract are unable to participate. However, due to a lack of clear communication of that agreement between the NBA and the Chinese and Philippines Basketball Federations, and after further discussions with both Federations, the NBA has agreed to provide this one-time exception."

Clarkson, 26, whose mother is from the Philippines, is scheduled to arrive in Jakarta on Thursday at 10 a.m. local time and will miss the Philippines' first game of the competition against Kazakhstan.

"My heart is full of gratitude for everyone who helped make this happen. See you all very soon," Clarkson wrote on his Facebook page after being informed of the decision.

The Philippines isn't expected to win the tournament, but with the addition of Clarkson, the team could medal, which it hasn't done since 1998 when it won the bronze. Earlier this summer, Clarkson was able to practice with the Philippine team and cheered them on in a warmup game against Taiwan.

After spending parts of the first four seasons of his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, the guard was traded to Cleveland last season and helped them reach the NBA Finals.

In 81 games split between the Lakers and Cavaliers, the 6'5" Clarkson averaged 13.9 points, 2.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game.

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