Knicks Clinch First NBA Title Since 1973 As Brunson Shines In Finals Rally

New York completed a long-awaited title run, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to clinch the series 4-1. The Knicks erased another big deficit, coming back from 16 points down. The victory delivered the franchise’s first championship in 53 years and capped a postseason built on repeated comebacks.

Jalen Brunson delivered a signature performance, finishing with 45 points and scoring 13 straight for New York in the fourth quarter. Brunson set a Knicks record for points in an NBA Finals game, surpassing Willis Reed’s 38 against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the 1970 series. The left-handed point guard arrived four years ago and has reshaped the team’s fortunes. The Knicks are now 4-0 in closeout games this season,

winning every one away from Madison Square Garden, helped by thousands of travelling New York supporters in Texas.

The decisive game followed a pattern seen throughout the Knicks’ wins in the series. San Antonio again surged ahead early, building a double-digit cushion in the first quarter before New York gradually cut into the lead during the second. The Spurs led by 16 at one stage, yet the Knicks stayed patient. New York’s four victories all came after overturning double-digit margins, extending a theme of resilience across the finals.

The Spurs’ fast starts produced a notable statistical mark. They became the first team in the play-by-play era, which began with the 1996-97 season, to hold leads of at least 10 points in the first quarter of five different NBA Finals games. That early dominance did not translate into control of the series, as New York repeatedly recovered and closed out the late stages with composure.

New York’s path to the brink of the championship had already featured one of the most dramatic turnarounds in league history. In Game 4, the Knicks trailed by 29 points before storming back to win 107-106. OG Anunoby tipped in the decisive basket with 1.2 seconds remaining on Wednesday night. That rally stands as the biggest comeback ever in the NBA Finals and the largest in any game this season, whether in the regular season or playoffs. Compared with that, overturning a 16-point deficit in Game 5 felt almost routine for this group.

Brunson received key support from familiar college teammates. Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, who along with Brunson formed the "Nova Knicks" trio after winning an NCAA championship together at Villanova, combined for 27 points. Bridges scored 14, while Hart added 13, supplying important offence and energy on a night when every possession carried pressure.

The Spurs’ young core delivered strong numbers despite the defeat. Dylan Harper led San Antonio with 25 points. Victor Wembanyama contributed across the box score, finishing with 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots, anchoring the defence and challenging New York at the rim. Their efforts kept the game close into the final minutes before Brunson’s late scoring burst decided the contest.

for the boroughs and Knicks fans around the world pic.twitter.com/tsqfmm0Bd8 NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 14, 2026

The championship ends a 53-year wait for Knicks supporters and restores New York to the top of the NBA. A team built on composure, defence and timely scoring finished every series on the road and continued to respond when behind. With Brunson leading and the "Nova Knicks" delivering alongside, the franchise claimed a long-sought banner at last.