SAN ANTONIO — The New York Knicks captured their first NBA championship in 53 years after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night, clinching the series 4-1.Jalen Brunson delivered a championship-winning performance with 45 points, including 13 consecutive points in the fourth quarter, as the Knicks overcame a 16-point deficit to complete yet another comeback victory.Named NBA Finals MVP, Brunson set a franchise record for points in an NBA Finals game, surpassing the previous mark of 38 set by Willis Reed against the Los Angeles Lakers in 1970.“I have no words,” Brunson said during the postgame celebrations. “It’s everything I ever dreamed of.”The title ends one of the longest championship droughts in NBA history, with New York’s previous crown coming in 1973.The Knicks won all four of their victories in the series after trailing by double digits, continuing a postseason trend that showcased their resilience under pressure.Mikal Bridges scored 14 points and Josh Hart added 13 as New York’s Villanova trio of Brunson, Bridges and Hart played a key role in delivering the franchise’s long-awaited championship.“I’m in awe,” Brunson said. “Whenever someone counted us out, we found a way to come back and do something about it.”The Spurs, appearing in the Finals behind a young core led by Victor Wembanyama and rookie Dylan Harper, were unable to close out another strong start. Harper scored 25 points, while Wembanyama finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks.“This is the biggest lesson of my life, the biggest learning moment,” Wembanyama said. “We’re learning.”San Antonio controlled much of the first half and led by as many as 16 points in the second quarter. The Knicks struggled offensively early, missing 16 of their first 18 shots and failing to convert their first 11 attempts inside the arc.However, New York responded with a 22-9 run to cut the deficit before halftime and gradually took control in the second half.The Spurs held a 42-37 lead at the break in a defensive battle that produced the lowest-scoring first half in an NBA Finals game since Game 7 of the 2010 Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.Brunson took over down the stretch, leading the Knicks to another dramatic comeback just days after New York erased a 29-point deficit in Game 4 — the largest comeback in NBA Finals history — to move within one win of the title.For Knicks coach Mike Brown, who took charge before the season, the championship marked a remarkable achievement.“It’s surreal,” Brown said. “I still can’t believe it’s happened.”Thousands of Knicks fans made the trip to Texas to witness the historic moment, while celebrations erupted across New York City after the final buzzer.New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that the city’s championship parade will take place on Thursday.“It’s why I came to New York,” Brunson said after securing the franchise’s first title since 1973.SAN ANTONIO — The New York Knicks captured their first NBA championship in 53 years after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night, clinching the series 4-1.Jalen Brunson delivered a championship-winning performance with 45 points, including 13 consecutive points in the fourth quarter, as the Knicks overcame a 16-point deficit to complete yet another comeback victory.Named NBA Finals MVP, Brunson set a franchise record for points in an NBA Finals game, surpassing the previous mark of 38 set by Willis Reed against the Los Angeles Lakers in 1970.“I have no words,” Brunson said during the postgame celebrations. “It’s everything I ever dreamed of.”The title ends one of the longest championship droughts in NBA history, with New York’s previous crown coming in 1973.The Knicks won all four of their victories in the series after trailing by double digits, continuing a postseason trend that showcased their resilience under pressure.Mikal Bridges scored 14 points and Josh Hart added 13 as New York’s Villanova trio of Brunson, Bridges and Hart played a key role in delivering the franchise’s long-awaited championship.“I’m in awe,” Brunson said. “Whenever someone counted us out, we found a way to come back and do something about it.”The Spurs, appearing in the Finals behind a young core led by Victor Wembanyama and rookie Dylan Harper, were unable to close out another strong start. Harper scored 25 points, while Wembanyama finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks.“This is the biggest lesson of my life, the biggest learning moment,” Wembanyama said. “We’re learning.”San Antonio controlled much of the first half and led by as many as 16 points in the second quarter. The Knicks struggled offensively early, missing 16 of their first 18 shots and failing to convert their first 11 attempts inside the arc.However, New York responded with a 22-9 run to cut the deficit before halftime and gradually took control in the second half.The Spurs held a 42-37 lead at the break in a defensive battle that produced the lowest-scoring first half in an NBA Finals game since Game 7 of the 2010 Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.Brunson took over down the stretch, leading the Knicks to another dramatic comeback just days after New York erased a 29-point deficit in Game 4 — the largest comeback in NBA Finals history — to move within one win of the title.For Knicks coach Mike Brown, who took charge before the season, the championship marked a remarkable achievement.“It’s surreal,” Brown said. “I still can’t believe it’s happened.”Thousands of Knicks fans made the trip to Texas to witness the historic moment, while celebrations erupted across New York City after the final buzzer.New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that the city’s championship parade will take place on Thursday.“It’s why I came to New York,” Brunson said after securing the franchise’s first title since 1973.
Knicks end 53-year wait, beat Spurs to win NBA title
