SAN ANTONIO, TX June 13, 2026 — The New York Knicks are NBA champions once again.
In a hard-fought Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals, the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 on Saturday night at Frost Bank Center, clinching the series 4-1 and securing their third franchise title — and first since 1973.
Jalen Brunson delivered a championship performance for the ages, scoring 45 points to lead the Knicks in the clincher. The star point guard, named Finals MVP, spearheaded a resilient effort that saw New York overcome early deficits and close out the series on the road. Mikal Bridges and other key contributors provided vital support in a defensive battle that lived up to the intensity of a Finals decider.
The series was a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals, which the Spurs won. This time, the Knicks flipped the script. New York stole home-court advantage with wins in Games 1 (105-95) and 2 (105-104) in San Antonio. After dropping Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, they staged one of the most dramatic comebacks in playoff history in Game 4, erasing a 29-point deficit for a 107-106 victory. Game 5 sealed the deal in emphatic fashion.
“This is everything I’ve ever dreamed of,” Brunson said after the game, visibly emotional as confetti fell and the Larry O’Brien Trophy was presented.
The Knicks’ path to glory featured dominant playoff runs, including a sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The victory sparked massive celebrations in New York City, with fans flooding the streets around Madison Square Garden in jerseys old and new — from Patrick Ewing-era throwbacks to current stars.
For the Spurs, led by rising talents like Dylan Harper, it was a strong postseason that ended in heartbreak. San Antonio pushed the series to five games but couldn’t contain Brunson and the Knicks’ balanced attack in the decisive moments.
With this win, the Knicks join an exclusive club of modern champions and end decades of frustration for one of the NBA’s most storied — and long-suffering — franchises. The “World Champs” banners are finally heading back to the world’s most famous arena.
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