The New York Knicks are NBA champions. On Saturday night in San Antonio, the Knicks defeated the Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 to win their first championship since 1973, ending a 53-year wait that has defined the franchise’s modern identity more than anything else.
Jalen Brunson was the story. The Knicks’ point guard dropped 45 points on 14-of-27 shooting, 4-of-7 from three, and 13-of-15 from the line. The Spurs led by 16 at their biggest advantage of the night and it still was not enough, because Brunson dragged New York back every time they were pushed away. The Knicks outscored San Antonio 29-18 in the fourth quarter and closed the game on their terms. Brunson was named Finals MVP.
Josh Hart finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Mikal Bridges added 14 on efficient shooting. OG Anunoby contributed 11 points and 3 steals. The Knicks won this the way they have won all season; collectively, physically, and refusing to lose.
For San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama posted 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocks in a performance that deserved a better result. Dylan Harper was outstanding with 25 points on 52 percent shooting, the 19-year-old announcing himself again on the biggest stage. But Stephon Castle shot 1-of-10 and De’Aaron Fox finished with 7 points on 3-of-15. When the Spurs needed their supporting cast to step up alongside Wembanyama, they could not find it.
The Knicks won the series 4-1, a scoreline that is slightly misleading given that Games 2 and 4 were decided by a single point each. This was close until Brunson made sure it was not. New York swept Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals and never really looked back from there.