New York Knicks Win First NBA Title Since 1973 Behind Historic Brunson Night

The New York Knicks won the NBA championship this morning, Sunday, beating San Antonio 94-90 in Game 5 to take the Finals 4-1. It was New York’s first title since 1973, ending a 53-year wait for Knicks fans. Jalen Brunson delivered the defining performance, scoring 45 points on 14-of-27 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three and 13-of-15 from the free throw line.

San Antonio controlled much of the first half and led 42-37 at the break. Victor Wembanyama opened the game with early blocks and finished the half with 9 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks, while Dylan Harper helped the Spurs build a 16-point lead. New York then clawed back behind Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, but Devin Vassell’s basket at the buzzer gave San Antonio the halftime edge.

The Spurs again pushed the margin into double digits in the third quarter, and a play involving Wembanyama and Brunson late in the period is set to be reviewed by the league office. If Wembanyama is ruled to have committed a flagrant foul, he would be automatically suspended for Game 6. New York kept fighting, however, and Brunson reached 22 points by the end of the third before the Knicks closed hard in the fourth.

Brunson scored 10 straight points during the decisive comeback, including three free throws to put New York ahead 86-85 with 3:40 left. OG Anunoby dunked to extend the lead, and the Knicks survived late misses and San Antonio’s final push. After Stephon Castle’s late putback cut it to two, Bridges split free throws and Harper missed two foul shots in the closing seconds, sealing the Knicks’ championship.