TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The New Taipei Kings (新北國王隊) captured the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL, 台灣職籃大聯盟) championship on Sunday (June 29) night in a dramatic finale to the season. The jubilant squad secured their title in a winner-take-all Game 7 showdown at Xinzhuang Gymnasium (新莊體育館), where former NBA star Jeremy Lin and his teammates erupted in celebration, embracing amid the thunderous cheers of a capacity crowd.
Jeremy Lin (林書豪), the former NBA sensation who once sparked "Linsanity" across American basketball, competed in all seven games of the grueling 2024-25 TPBL finals, logging an impressive 37 minutes per contest while securing the Finals MVP honor. In his post-game comments, Lin made the remarkable admission that claiming this Taiwanese championship alongside his brother, Joseph Lin (林書緯), brought him greater joy than his previous NBA title. The emotional star expressed profound gratitude toward his brother for the personal sacrifices and unwavering support that contributed to their shared triumph.
Joseph Lin offered a glimpse into the brothers' relationship, stating simply that his willingness to make personal sacrifices stemmed from their fraternal bond. The championship journey exacted a considerable toll on Jeremy, who disclosed that his playoff preparation involved grueling late-night medical treatments and significant time away from family, contributing to his tearful, cathartic reaction when the final buzzer sounded. Looking ahead, Kings' general manager James Mao (毛加恩) indicated the organization would address Lin's future with the franchise within the next month, taking into account both his physical condition after the demanding season and important family considerations. ◼