NEW YORK — The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday to win their first championship in 53 years, completing a 4-1 series victory, the league said.
Jalen Brunson scored 45 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, as the Knicks rallied from a 16-point deficit to secure the title on the road in San Antonio, according to NBA officials and game reports. The win marks the franchise’s third championship overall and its first since 1973.
The Knicks, coached by Mike Brown, overcame the Western Conference champion Spurs in a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals. New York had previously defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in the Eastern Conference finals.
Brunson, named Finals MVP, led the team throughout the postseason. Key contributions also came from players including Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby, whose tip-in sealed a historic 29-point comeback in Game 4, officials said.
The series featured strong defensive efforts by the Knicks, who limited Spurs standout Victor Wembanyama. San Antonio, coached by Mitch Johnson, had advanced past the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals.
"This is a historic moment for our franchise, our players and our fans who have waited so long," Knicks president Leon Rose said in a statement. "The resilience shown by this group throughout the playoffs defines what we built."
The Knicks entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the East and went on a strong run, winning 15 of their final 16 games. Details of the championship parade and further celebrations in New York were expected to be announced in the coming days.
Spurs officials congratulated the Knicks on their achievement. No immediate comment was available from league executives on post-series matters.
The Larry O’Brien Trophy was presented to the Knicks shortly after the game, with players and coaches celebrating on the court. Further statistics and individual honors from the Finals are set to be released by the NBA.
As of Sunday, the Knicks organization was focused on the immediate aftermath of their championship run, with no additional schedule details available.
