The New York Knicks are NBA Champions for the first time since 1973. On June 13 in San Antonio, the Knicks defeated the Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 to win the series 4-1 and end a 53-year wait for a championship. Jalen Brunson delivered a historic performance, scoring 45 points to lead his team over the finish line.
Brunson's Defining Night
Jalen Brunson was at his best when it mattered most. His 45-point performance in the clinching game cemented his status as the unquestioned leader of this Knicks team and silenced any remaining doubts about his ability to carry a team to a championship. The victory in San Antonio — on the road — adds to the legacy of one of the most captivating Knicks seasons in decades.
Series Summary: Knicks Win 4-1
- Game 1 — Knicks 105, Spurs 95
- Game 2 — Knicks 105, Spurs 104
- Game 3 — Spurs 115, Knicks 111
- Game 4 — Knicks 107, Spurs 106
- Game 5 — Knicks 94, Spurs 90
End of a 53-Year Wait
The Knicks' last championship came in 1973, when Walt Frazier and the squad of that era won New York's only previous title. This 2026 team completes a long reconstruction and delivers on years of expectation from one of basketball's most passionate fan bases. Madison Square Garden celebrated through the night.
What Comes Next
The 2026–27 NBA season is expected to begin in October. With Brunson established as a championship-level performer and a core built around this title run, the Knicks enter next season as genuine contenders once more.
Source: 2026 NBA Finals — NBA.com