New York Knicks Clinch First NBA Championship Since 1973 with Thrilling Win

In a thrilling conclusion to the NBA Finals, the New York Knicks secured their first championship since 1973 by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90. Jalen Brunson led the charge with a record-setting 45 points, showcasing the Knicks' resilience as they overcame early struggles and a double-digit deficit. The victory not only marks a significant achievement for the franchise but also ends a 53-year wait for the coveted title. Discover how the Knicks managed to clinch this historic win and the standout performances that defined the game.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 14, 2026, 09:44 IST

Knicks Triumph Over Spurs in NBA Finals

San Antonio (Texas) [US], June 14: The New York Knicks achieved a historic milestone on Saturday (Local Time) by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at the Frost Bank Centre, marking their first NBA championship victory since 1973.

Entering the game with a 3-1 series lead, the Knicks secured the best-of-seven series with a 4-1 finish, thanks to an outstanding performance from Jalen Brunson, who scored a remarkable 45 points, leading New York to another thrilling comeback.

The Spurs initially appeared ready to extend the series, taking an early lead and maintaining control for a significant portion of the game.

San Antonio established a double-digit lead in the first quarter and increased it to 16 points during the second period, with Victor Wembanyama showcasing his defensive prowess by recording five blocks in the first half.

New York faced challenges early in the game, struggling with their shooting, missing 16 of their first 18 attempts and failing to make any of their first 11 two-point shots. However, true to their character throughout the Finals, the Knicks remained composed.

A late surge of 22-9 in the second quarter narrowed the gap to three points, but Devin Vassell's buzzer-beater allowed the Spurs to lead 42-37 at halftime in a match characterized by fierce defense and subpar shooting from both teams.

The second half remained competitive until Brunson took charge in the final moments. The All-Star guard scored 13 consecutive points for the Knicks in the fourth quarter, enabling New York to take their first lead of the game with just 3:40 left on the clock.

Once in front, the Knicks maintained their composure, and San Antonio could not mount a comeback as New York completed yet another impressive turnaround, having overcome double-digit deficits in all four of their series victories.

Brunson's 45-point performance set a new franchise record for points in an NBA Finals game, surpassing the previous record of 38 held by Knicks legend Willis Reed since 1970. Mikal Bridges contributed 14 points, while Josh Hart added 13.

For the Spurs, rookie Dylan Harper scored 25 points, and Wembanyama finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks.

This victory capped off a remarkable postseason for New York, which lost only three games throughout the playoffs, finally ending a 53-year championship drought.