SAN ANTONIO — The long wait is finally over for the New York Knicks.
The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 on Saturday night in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, winning the franchise’s first NBA championship since 1973. It is the team’s third title overall and ends a 53-year drought that had become part of the franchise’s identity for generations of fans.
Jalen Brunson delivered one of the biggest performances in team history, scoring 45 points and earning NBA Finals MVP honors. He carried New York through another comeback after the Knicks trailed by as many as 16 points before rallying late once again.
“This is why I came to New York,” Brunson said after the game. “It’s everything I dreamed of.”
The comeback followed a pattern that defined the series. New York fell behind by double digits in every game of the Finals but repeatedly found a way back. The Knicks actually led for less than one-quarter of the total time played during the series, yet won four of the five games.
Brunson seemed determined from the opening tip despite the early deficit. He scored eight straight points during the second quarter to help cut the Spurs’ lead before halftime. He added 14 points in the third quarter as New York chipped away again.
Then came the fourth.
With the championship within reach, Brunson scored 13 consecutive Knicks points, turning another double-digit deficit into a lead that New York would not give back. By the final buzzer, he had joined a very short list of players to score 45 points on the road in a title-clinching victory.
Karl-Anthony Towns struggled with foul trouble throughout the night and finished with just two points. Mikal Bridges scored 14, Josh Hart added 13, and OG Anunoby finished with 11. The Knicks received only nine points from their bench, making Brunson’s offensive explosion even more important.
When the game ended, Brunson embraced his father, Rick Brunson, near the sideline before celebrating with teammates as the Larry O’Brien Trophy was presented.
For the franchise, the championship puts another banner alongside the titles won in 1970 and 1973.
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama acknowledged how difficult the series became despite San Antonio controlling much of the action.
“We absolutely dominated for most of the series,” Wembanyama said. “But our errors, our mistakes, are punished so hard that we can’t have ups and downs like this.”
The Spurs repeatedly built comfortable leads only to watch them disappear late. New York’s resilience became one of the defining themes of its playoff run.
The Knicks entered the postseason as the No. 3 seed and advanced through the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers before meeting San Antonio in the Finals. Their playoff run included numerous comeback victories, with Game 5 providing one final rally to secure the championship.
As celebrations began inside Frost Bank Center, the excitement quickly spread more than 1,500 miles away.
Thousands of fans gathered outside Madison Square Garden, in Times Square, Central Park and neighborhoods across New York City. Crowds packed streets, sang team chants, waved flags and set off fireworks as people celebrated a championship many had never seen in their lifetime.
Outside Madison Square Garden, fans watching on giant screens erupted when the final buzzer sounded. Across the city, people hugged strangers, honked car horns and poured into the streets wearing blue and orange.
“I’m so overwhelmed. I’m so happy,” one fan said while celebrating at a watch party in Central Park.
Others described the victory as something they had been waiting decades to experience. Many longtime supporters recalled years of playoff disappointment before finally seeing the Knicks reach the top again.
The celebrations continued well into the night, but not all of them remained peaceful.
Police said a 17-year-old was shot near Times Square during the overnight celebrations after gunfire broke out in the crowded area. The victim was taken to a hospital, and officers recovered a firearm while taking three people into custody.
Authorities also reported four stabbings or slashings during the celebrations.
Large crowds climbed traffic lights, scaffolding and buses while others damaged vehicles. Police said several school buses being used for World Cup transportation were either set on fire or heavily damaged. Multiple police vehicles were also vandalized.
In total, 63 people were arrested on charges that included assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Officials also said several police officers suffered injuries while responding to the unrest.
Knicks owner James Dolan, speaking after the game in San Antonio, urged fans to celebrate responsibly.
“We know that they’re celebrating, we want them to have a great time,” Dolan said. “Please be safe. Don’t get hurt, don’t hurt anybody.”
New York City officials announced that the team will be honored with a championship parade and ceremony on Thursday.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani encouraged fans to enjoy the moment while remaining safe as celebrations continued across the city.
The championship also drew congratulations from President Donald Trump, who praised the team’s playoff run and singled out Brunson’s performance after the Finals victory.
For New York, the season ended with both the NBA Cup and the franchise’s first championship in more than five decades. A team that spent much of the Finals playing from behind finished the season standing alone at the top of the NBA.
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