NBA: The New York Knicks beat the Spurs to win their first NBA title in 53 years

The New York Knicks ended a 53-year wait for an NBA championship on Saturday, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to clinch their first title since 1973.

Jalen Brunson had a performance for the ages, scoring a game-high 45 points as the Knicks won the best-of-seven series 4-1 and completed a dominant postseason run in which they lost just three games.

Playing in front of their home crowd, the Spurs looked set to extend the streak after taking an early lead and maintaining control for most of the match. San Antonio had several double-digit leads throughout the game, with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs’ young core emerging on course to force a Game 6.

But the Knicks refused to go away. New York chipped away at the deficit in the second half before finally taking its first lead of the night with 3:40 remaining. Brunson led the offense and made repeated plays in crucial moments as the Knicks seized control when it mattered most.

The Spurs could not answer, allowing New York to complete another comeback victory and seal one of the most memorable championship triumphs in franchise history.

The title ends one of the NBA’s longest championship droughts and marks the Knicks’ first Finals triumph since their legendary teams of the early 1970s. It’s also the culmination of a remarkable playoff campaign that has established New York as the league’s dominant team this postseason.

For San Antonio, the defeat marked the end of an impressive season. The Spurs, led by Wembanyama, exceeded expectations during the campaign and reached the finals with one of the youngest rosters in the league, but ultimately fell short against a battle-hardened Knicks side.

Brunson, however, was the difference. The Knicks captain put on his best show of the season on the biggest stage, ensuring New York finally lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the first time in more than five decades.

The Knicks won the NBA Finals 4-1, capping a championship run that will be remembered as New York’s return to the top of basketball.

– The end

Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

14 Jun 2026 09:21 IST