SAN ANTONIO, June 13, 2026: The New York Knicks are NBA champions for the first time since 1973 after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night. Jalen Brunson scored 45 points and was named Finals MVP, leading New York to a 4-1 series win at the Spurs’ Frost Bank Center.
How the Knicks Won It
The game did not start well for New York. According to CBS Sports, the Knicks scored just 13 points in the first quarter and trailed by as many as 16 points, shooting under 30% from the field in the first half.
San Antonio’s defense was dominant early. Victor Wembanyama opened the scoring with a transition dunk and racked up multiple blocks in the opening minutes, enveloping New York’s offense.
But New York’s resilience defined the entire series. San Antonio built double-digit leads in all five games. Except for Game 3, they could not hold on as the Knicks repeatedly clawed back, completing their comeback win to claim the championship.
Final Score: Knicks 94 — 90 Spurs
Why This Championship Matters
This title carries significance well beyond a single season. It ends one of the longest active championship droughts in major American sports. It cements Jalen Brunson as the face of a franchise that has waited more than five decades for this moment.
For the Knicks organization, the championship validates a roster build that endured public criticism, a coaching change mid-rebuild, and years of playoff heartbreak before reaching the top.
Jalen Brunson’s Historic Performance
Jalen Brunson finished with 45 points, a Knicks Finals record, and earned the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP trophy as the unanimous choice among 11 voters. According to ESPN, Brunson became just the fourth player in NBA history to score 45 points in a closeout game to win the Finals, joining Michael Jordan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bob Pettit.
Speaking on stage after accepting the trophy alongside his father, Brunson told ESPN’s Ernie Johnson that it was everything they had ever dreamed of.
OG Anunoby, who had been Brunson’s closest competition for Finals MVP before Game 5, described his teammate as resilient and mentally tough, someone who stays in attack mode no matter the score and plays to the end.
The Numbers Behind Brunson’s Masterpiece
Brunson’s Game 5 was built on elite efficiency under pressure. According to ESPN, he shot 14-of-27 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, and 13-of-15 from the free-throw line, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter alone to help the Knicks overcome a deficit late in the game.
His Villanova teammates carried the rest of the load. Mikal Bridges scored 14 points, and Josh Hart added 13, meaning the Knicks’ three Villanova alumni combined for 72 of the team’s 94 points. According to NBA.com, Hart provided the decisive field goal of the game, a floater with just over a minute remaining that gave New York the lead for good.
The supporting cast struggled with foul trouble throughout the night. According to Yahoo Sports, Karl-Anthony Towns fouled out after shooting just 1-of-7 from the field for two points, while OG Anunoby finished with 11 points on 3-of-11 shooting.
Head Coach Mike Brown’s Impact
The championship run was overseen by head coach Mike Brown, who took over the Knicks bench ahead of the 2025-26 season. After Game 5, Brown praised Brunson directly, telling reporters his star guard was “a freaking 1A,” according to NBA.com.
Spurs’ Young Core Falls Short
San Antonio’s rookie sensation kept the Spurs competitive until the late stages. According to Yahoo Sports, Dylan Harper scored a team-high 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting, adding five rebounds and four assists in his series finale.
But the Spurs could not sustain their effort on offense, shooting 38.4% from the field, 32.4% from three, and struggling at the free-throw line at 12-of-19 (63.2%). Victor Wembanyama finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocks, shooting below 40% from the field for the third time in the series.
San Antonio built double-digit leads in all five games of the series. Except for Game 3, they were unable to keep the Knicks from clawing their way back.
A 53-Year Wait Ends
The Knicks’ last Finals appearance had come 27 years earlier, and Saturday’s win came against the very same franchise that denied them a title in 1999, the Spurs, who beat the Knicks in five games that year.
According to CBS Sports, the Knicks also completed the largest comeback in NBA Finals history during Game 4, erasing a 29-point deficit to take a 3-1 series lead before closing out the title in Game 5.
Celebrations Across New York City
The win sparked immediate citywide celebration. Crowds across New York City cheered from bars, outdoor watch parties, and street kiosks as the final buzzer sounded. The Empire State Building, JPMorgan Chase Building, and One Vanderbilt were all illuminated in Knicks colors to mark the occasion.
Celebrity fans including Ben Stiller, Spike Lee, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan, Mariska Hargitay, Taylor Swift, and Jerry Seinfeld had been courtside throughout the series at Madison Square Garden.
By the Numbers — 2026 NBA Finals
| Stat | Result |
|---|---|
| Series Result | Knicks win 4-1 |
| Game 5 Score | Knicks 94, Spurs 90 |
| Finals MVP | Jalen Brunson |
| Brunson Game 5 Stats | 45 points, 14-of-27 FG, 13-of-15 FT |
| Last Title | 1973 |
| Villanova Trio Output | 72 of 94 points (Brunson, Bridges, Hart) |
| Biggest Comeback | 29 points (Game 4, NBA Finals record) |
| TV Viewership (Games 1-4 avg.) | 19.6 million on ABC/ESPN |
What Happens Next for the Knicks
A championship parade through New York City is expected in the coming days, following the city’s long-standing tradition for major sports titles.
For the offseason, the core of Brunson, Towns, Anunoby, Bridges, and Hart is expected to return largely intact, giving the Knicks a strong foundation to defend their title. Expectations for the 2026-27 season will now shift from chasing a championship to defending one, placing New York among the favorites heading into next year.
San Antonio, by contrast, will regroup around a young core still finding its footing on the biggest stage. Given their age, the expectation is that they will get more chances to compete for a title, though as the Knicks themselves proved this year, returning to the Finals is never guaranteed. For more on San Antonio’s Game 5 performance, read the full Yahoo Sports recap.
For Times Square News readers following other major events this summer, our Group C standings update covers the latest from the FIFA World Cup 2026, also underway across the United States.
Conclusion
The 2026 NBA Championship will be remembered as the season that transformed the New York Knicks from perennial contenders into champions. Led by Finals MVP Jalen Brunson and head coach Mike Brown, the franchise ended its title drought and delivered one of the most memorable title runs in modern NBA history.
FAQ — Knicks 2026 NBA Championship
Did the Knicks win the 2026 NBA Championship?
Yes. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the NBA Finals, clinching the title with a 94-90 win in Game 5 on June 13, 2026.
When was the last time the Knicks won an NBA Championship?
The Knicks’ previous championship came in 1973.
Who was named Finals MVP?
Jalen Brunson was named the 2026 NBA Finals MVP, the unanimous choice among 11 voters, after scoring 45 points in the series-clinching Game 5.
What was Brunson’s shooting line in Game 5?
Brunson shot 14-of-27 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, and 13-of-15 from the free-throw line.
Who is the Knicks’ head coach?
Mike Brown, who took over ahead of the 2025-26 season, coached the Knicks to the 2026 championship.
How many points did the Knicks’ Villanova players score combined?
Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, all Villanova alumni, combined for 72 of the Knicks’ 94 points in Game 5.
Who led San Antonio in scoring?
Spurs rookie Dylan Harper led San Antonio with 25 points, adding five rebounds and four assists.
