New York waited 53 years for this moment. On June 13, 2026, the Knicks finally climbed back to the top of the NBA, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94–90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to win the championship, four games to one.
The celebration carried into June 14, when fans across New York woke up to a championship the city had not seen since 1973. It was the franchise’s third NBA title, and the end of the longest championship drought in NBA history.
Jalen Brunson delivers a Finals performance for the ages
Jalen Brunson led the way with 45 points, setting a Knicks record for points in an NBA Finals game. With New York facing a 16-point deficit, Brunson took control late, scoring 13 consecutive Knicks points in the fourth quarter as the team mounted another comeback.
His performance capped a remarkable postseason and earned him the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. Brunson’s leadership and composure became the defining story of the Knicks’ championship run.
A comeback that completed a historic run
The Spurs had built a double-digit lead, but New York refused to fold. The Knicks turned the game around in the fourth quarter, executing on both ends and making the critical plays down the stretch. The 94–90 final score sealed a 4–1 series victory.
New York’s path to the title was built on resilience. The team repeatedly answered adversity throughout the Finals, and the Game 5 comeback was a fitting finish to a postseason in which the Knicks consistently found a way to win.
New York celebrates its champions
For Knicks fans, the championship is more than a banner. It reconnects generations of New Yorkers with the franchise’s championship history and gives a new generation its own unforgettable moment. After more than half a century, the Knicks are NBA champions again.
Official NBA championship coverage and game highlights:
Final: New York Knicks 94, San Antonio Spurs 90
Series: Knicks win 4–1
Jalen Brunson: 45 points; NBA Finals MVP
Milestone: First Knicks championship since 1973
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