The New York Knicks have won their first NBA title in 53 years. They beat the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 45 points.
The Knicks won the best-of-seven series 4-1. This victory denied Victor Wembanyama and the young Spurs team a championship on their home court. The last time the Knicks won was in 1973.
Knicks' Comeback Victory
The Knicks showed their resilience throughout the series. In Game 4, they came back from a 29-point deficit, which was the biggest comeback in Finals history. In Game 5, they erased another double-digit lead.
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Start Your News DetoxThe Knicks were down by 16 points in the second quarter. They still trailed by 10 points early in the fourth quarter. But Brunson's performance kept them in the game.
Brunson set a new Knicks record for points in a Finals game with 45. This surpassed Willis Reed's 38 points in 1970. Brunson was also named the Finals Most Valuable Player.
"I’m in awe," Brunson said. "Whenever someone counts us out, we find a way to come back and do something about it."
For the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama scored 19 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and blocked five shots. Rookie Dylan Harper added 25 points off the bench. However, the Spurs could not hold off the determined Knicks.
Celebrations in New York
The championship win sparked huge celebrations in New York. Tens of thousands of fans watched the games at parties across the city.
Immediately after the win, the Empire State Building lit up in the Knicks' orange and blue colors. Loud celebrations erupted outside Madison Square Garden.
Even at the Spurs' Frost Bank Center, a large group of Knicks fans cheered them on. Celebrities like Britain's Prince Harry were also in attendance.
The Empire State Building is seen illuminated with the colours of the New York Knicks after Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in New York [Ryan Murphy/AP Photo]
Mikal Bridges scored 14 points for the Knicks. Josh Hart added 13 points and 11 rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns had two points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and a block before fouling out.
Brunson made three free throws after being fouled on a three-pointer, giving the Knicks an 86-85 lead with 3:40 left. This was their first lead since the game's start. OG Anunoby then dunked to make it 88-85. After the Spurs tied it, Brunson scored again, and the Knicks held on for the win.
New York Knicks fans celebrate their victory as they watch Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the San Antonio Spurs, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in New York [Andres Kudacki/AP Photo]
Spurs' Defensive Efforts
The Spurs started Game 5 strong on defense. Wembanyama blocked three shots in the first quarter, helping the Spurs to a 23-13 lead. This was the fewest points the Knicks scored in a quarter this postseason.
Wembanyama tied a Finals record with five blocks in the first half. He also hit a three-pointer that extended the Spurs' lead to 16 points in the second quarter.
However, the Knicks began to close the gap. They cut the lead to three points by halftime, with the Spurs leading 42-37. San Antonio again built a double-digit lead, but Brunson and the Knicks fought back.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson admitted, "We weren’t ready to win an NBA championship. The better team won."
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) is fouled by New York Knicks centre Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half [Darren Abate/AP Photo]
