New York Knicks End 53-Year Title Drought, Win 2025/26 NBA Championship

After decades of anticipation and repeated heartbreak, the New York Knicks finally ended their long wait on Sunday morning by beating San Antonio 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals and clinching the series 4-1. It was the franchise’s first championship since 1973 and only its third overall, a milestone that restored one of the league’s most storied teams to the top after more than half a century.

The clincher followed the same pattern that defined New York’s playoff run. San Antonio started strongly, controlled long stretches, and built a 16-point lead, but the Knicks kept finding ways back. Jalen Brunson led the comeback with 45 points and again showed why he has become the team’s clear leader. In the final three minutes, New York took its first lead since the first quarter and never gave it back.

OG Anunoby was also a major factor throughout the series, playing the best playoff basketball of his career and helping drive the championship run. The title came only days after one of the most memorable games in Finals history, when New York erased a 29-point deficit to win Game 4, a comeback that symbolized the team’s refusal to quit.

On the other side, Victor Wembanyama finished his first playoff campaign in disappointment, though he gained valuable experience. The young French star led the Spurs through the season and playoffs, but will have to wait at least another year for his first ring. For Knicks fans, the night marked the end of 53 years of waiting and a long-awaited return to the summit of basketball.