Series MVP Jalen Brunson propelled the New York Knicks to another comeback win against the San Antonio Spurs. The victory secured the franchise’s third NBA championship, marking its first title since 1973.
New York Knicks captain Jalen Brunson tallied 45 points on Saturday night, rallying his squad from a 16-point first-half deficit to overcome the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 and claim the National Basketball Association (NBA) championship.
The Game 5 triumph represented the fourth comeback victory in the Knicks’ 4-1 best-of-seven series win.
Holding the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after the match, team owner James Dolan exclaimed, “I want to say something to New York. Hey New York! I’m sorry it took so long! But here we are… and hopefully it won’t take that long again!”
“I don’t know what I am feeling,” an emotional Brunson told reporters following the game. “I’m in awe. I don’t know… whenever someone counted us out, we found a way to come back and do something about it.”
A ‘never-say-die’ mindset defined the Knicks’ relentless pursuit of the championship
Named the series’ most valuable player (MVP), Brunson, who averaged 32.6 points per game throughout the series, delivered a standout performance in Game 5, scoring 29 of his 45 points in the second half.
Team President Leon Rose commended the squad’s character and resilience, highlighting “the never-say-die attitude” and describing their playoff journey as “incredible.”
Saturday’s road win in San Antonio, Texas, was preceded by the most remarkable comeback in NBA history the previous Wednesday at the Knicks’ home venue, Madison Square Garden — widely regarded as one of the most iconic arenas in U.S. professional sports — where New York erased a 29-point deficit to win 107-106 at the buzzer.
Knicks join NBA elite with third championship
The title is the Knicks’ first since 1973 — 53 years ago — when they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers (notably, the Knicks also won the first NBA game ever in 1946).
Saturday’s victory elevates the Knicks into exclusive company, making them one of only nine franchises to secure at least three championships.
“There are a couple of franchises that are pretty iconic just because of the history that they have, the location that they’re in, sometimes even the building that they’re in,” said Knicks head coach Mike Brown. “New York is definitely one of the few that you could say that to in all three facets.”
When the 1973 championship team landed at JFK Airport after defeating LA, police prepared for a “rabid” crowd of “hundreds” of fans.
It is safe to say that this time, as the Knicks bring the first major professional sports championship (NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB) title back to the Big Apple in 14 years, the crowds will be significantly larger and undoubtedly more rabid.
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Edited by: Roshni Majumdar
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