Knicks End 53-Year Drought, Defeat Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 to Win 2026 NBA Finals

"It's everything I ever dreamed of. I'm in awe." — Jalen Brunson, Finals MVP

The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals on Saturday, June 13, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, winning the best-of-seven series 4-1. This marks the Knicks' first NBA championship since 1973.

Game 5 Summary

The Knicks overcame a 16-point deficit in the first quarter to secure the victory. Jalen Brunson scored 45 points, setting a franchise record for points in a Finals game and surpassing Willis Reed's 38 points in 1970. He scored 15 points in the fourth quarter and was named NBA Finals MVP.

No other Knicks player scored more than 14 points. Mikal Bridges scored 14 points, and Josh Hart added 13 points. Karl-Anthony Towns played 23 minutes and scored 2 points before fouling out. The Knicks' bench did not score until the final minute of the third quarter.

For the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama recorded 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots. Dylan Harper scored 21 points off the bench. De'Aaron Fox contributed defensively.

The combined 79 points in the first half were the fewest in a Finals game since Game 7 of the 2010 series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.

The Series (Game 1–5)

Game 4 Comeback

In Game 4 on June 10 at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks defeated the Spurs 107-106 after overcoming a 29-point deficit, the largest comeback in NBA Finals history. The Spurs led 76-49 at halftime after making an NBA Finals-record 14 three-pointers in the first half. The lead extended to 81-52 early in the third quarter. The Knicks outscored the Spurs 58-30 in the second half. OG Anunoby scored the game-winning tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining, finishing with 33 points. Jalen Brunson scored 36 points. Victor Wembanyama recorded 24 points and 13 rebounds for San Antonio.

Series Statistics

Over four games, the Knicks outscored the Spurs by a total of eight points. Shooting percentages were nearly even (Knicks 44%, Spurs 43%). Each team recorded exactly 90 assists through four games.

Key Player Performances

Jalen Brunson: Averaged 32.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in the series. He scored 45 points in Game 5, including 29 points in the second half. Brunson is the third player 6'3" or shorter to lead a championship team in scoring and win Finals MVP, joining Isiah Thomas and Stephen Curry. Brunson signed with the Knicks in 2022 on a four-year, $104 million contract and signed a four-year, $156.5 million contract extension in 2024.

OG Anunoby: Contributed 33 points and the game-winning tip-in in Game 4.

Victor Wembanyama: Led the Spurs with averages including 24 points and 13 rebounds in Game 4, and 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocks in Game 5.

Notable Attendees and Celebrations

Celebrities present at Game 5 included Timothée Chalamet, Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, Tracy Morgan, Larry David, Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld, Jimmy Fallon, Taylor Swift, Mariska Hargitay, Chris Rock, John McEnroe, members of HAIM, David Zaslav, and Carmelo Anthony. Former Knicks players Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, and Walt Frazier were also in attendance.

Following the victory, Timothée Chalamet stated he preferred the win to winning an Oscar. Chalamet was heard saying, "Knicks in 5!" during Game 4. Ben Stiller stated he has been documenting the title run and that "there is a project in the works," according to ESPN.

Unofficial celebrations occurred on Saturday night across New York City, with reports of car horns, fireworks, and chants.

Statements

"It's everything I ever dreamed of. I'm in awe." — Jalen Brunson (Knicks guard and Finals MVP)

He also stated he feels "no pressure" and is "never afraid to fail."

"For him to be The Guy, it's surreal." — Rick Brunson (Knicks assistant coach and Jalen Brunson's father)

"The most iconic shot in the history of New York basketball." — Mike Brown (Knicks head coach) on Anunoby's Game 4 winner

Brown described the Game 4 comeback as "unbelievable" and called Brunson a "top-three MVP candidate."

"I see a man that's grown up and took the challenge of being in the biggest market in the world... knowing that he could do it." — Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks center)

"Hey, New York, I'm sorry it took so long, but here we are and hopefully it won't take that long again!" — James Dolan (Knicks owner)

"Way rather this than the Oscars." — Timothée Chalamet (actor and Knicks fan)

Upcoming Events

Championship Parade

A ticker-tape parade is scheduled for Thursday, June 18, at 10:00 AM ET in Lower Manhattan. The parade route will begin near Battery Park, proceed north on Broadway through the Canyon of Heroes, and conclude at City Hall. A ceremony is planned at City Hall Plaza where Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expected to present the team with Keys to the City.

This will be the first ticker-tape parade for the Knicks franchise. City officials are preparing security measures and anticipate large crowds. MSG Network, ABC7 New York, NBC 4, NYC.gov, and the Mayor's Office social media channels are expected to provide live coverage.

Media Appearances

The Knicks championship team is scheduled to appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday, June 15. Wu-Tang Clan is also scheduled to perform on the episode. The audience will consist of Knicks fans who were unable to attend the NBA Finals in person.

Ticket Policy During Finals

Prior to Game 5, the San Antonio Spurs implemented a policy limiting ticket sales for the game to customers within a 150-mile radius of Frost Bank Center. The restriction applied to Ticketmaster sales and used credit card billing addresses for enforcement. Violators could have tickets canceled without notice and receive a refund. Knicks fans had reportedly purchased approximately 50% of Game 5 seats before the restriction was announced.

Historical Context

• The Knicks' previous NBA championship was in 1973. Their only other title was in 1970.
• The Knicks' last Finals appearance was in 1999, also against the Spurs, losing in Game 5.
• Brunson's 45-point performance in a Finals-clinching game places him alongside Bob Pettit, Michael Jordan (Game 6, 1998), and Giannis Antetokounmpo (2021) as the only players to score 45 or more points in a Finals closeout game.
• The Spurs became the first team in the play-by-play era (since 1996-97) to lead by 10 or more points in the first quarter of five Finals games.
• The Spurs also lost four Finals games in which they held double-digit leads.

Reactions from Public Officials

Former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump each congratulated the team. Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Flavor Flav, Ice-T, and CC Sabathia also posted congratulations.

"For more than 50 years, New Yorkers have waited for this moment... Now it's time for our city to celebrate together." — Mayor Zohran Mamdani

Mamdani announced the championship parade and called for a citywide celebration.