The Knicks NBA Finals victory ended one of basketball’s longest waits Saturday night. New York defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 to win the 2026 NBA championship.
The win gave the Knicks their first title since 1973. It also completed a five-game Finals win over a young Spurs team led by Victor Wembanyama.
Knicks NBA Finals Victory Comes in San Antonio
New York closed the series on the road at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. The Knicks entered Game 5 with a 3-1 series lead after a dramatic one-point win in Game 4.
San Antonio kept the final game close. The Spurs pushed New York late and forced the Knicks to earn the title in the final minutes.
However, New York made enough plays to hold on. The Knicks finished the Finals with a 4-1 series win and secured the franchise’s third NBA championship.
The title also brought a major moment for Knicks fans. New York had not won the league championship in 53 years.
Jalen Brunson Leads Knicks to Championship
Jalen Brunson delivered the defining performance of the night. The Knicks guard scored 45 points in Game 5 and powered New York’s offense when the game tightened.
Brunson’s performance capped a strong Finals run. He was named the 2026 NBA Finals MVP after leading the Knicks throughout the series.
His leadership gave New York a steady answer against San Antonio’s length and pressure. The Knicks leaned on Brunson’s scoring, decision-making and late-game control.
The Finals MVP honor marked another major step in Brunson’s rise. He became the face of a Knicks team that turned years of frustration into a championship season.
Spurs Fall Short After Breakthrough Run
The loss ended a strong postseason run for San Antonio. The Spurs reached the Finals behind Wembanyama, who has quickly become one of the league’s most important young stars.
San Antonio showed growth throughout the playoffs. The team pushed New York in several close games and avoided a sweep with a Game 3 win at Madison Square Garden.
Still, the Knicks’ experience and late-game execution made the difference. New York won three games in San Antonio during the series.
The defeat will sting for many fans. Yet the team’s Finals appearance showed that San Antonio has returned to the NBA’s biggest stage.
New York Celebrates Historic Title
The championship sparked celebrations across New York after the final buzzer. For many Knicks fans, the title was the first they had seen in their lifetime.
The win also reshaped the franchise’s modern history. New York had endured decades of playoff disappointment since its last championship in 1973.
This team changed that story. Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and the rest of the roster delivered a title run built on defense, toughness and clutch scoring.