The drought is over! Knicks win first NBA title in 53 years

For the first time in 53 years, the New York Knicks are NBA Champions. Jalen Brunson earned MVP honors.

Last updated: Sunday, June 14, 2026 6:08AM GMT

ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News Stream

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The Comeback Knicks did it again. And now they're the Champion Knicks.

For the first time in 53 years, New York rules the NBA. Jalen Brunson scored 45 points, including 13 straight for New York in the fourth quarter, and the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night.

The Knicks won the series 4-1, rallying from double-digit deficits in all four of those victories. The deficit was 16 on Saturday night. Brunson and the Knicks were never fazed.

"It's surreal," Knicks coach Mike Brown, who was hired a year ago -- making him the franchise's 24th coach since the franchise's last championship in 1973. "I still can't believe it's happened."

Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart -- the other two parts of the "Nova Knicks" trio that also includes Brunson, three players who were NCAA champions at Villanova and teamed up in New York to try to do the same -- combined to score 27 points. Bridges had 14, Hart 13.

"I don't know what I'm feeling," Brunson said. "I'm in awe. Whenever someone counted us out, we found a way to come back and do something about it."

Dylan Harper scored 25 for the Spurs, who got 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots from Victor Wembanyama.

"This is the biggest lesson of my life, the biggest learning moment," Wembanyama said. "I can't tell exactly what the lesson is, but we're learning."

The Knicks improved to 4-0 in closeout opportunities this season, winning them all on the road. It didn't feel like the road, though -- not with thousands of New York faithful having made the trip to Texas to see a moment 53 years in the making.

Story from ESPN News Services

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Jun 01, 2026, 2:44 PM GMT
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Jun 03, 2026, 3:18 PM GMT

Comparing life in 1999 versus 2026 as Knicks-Spurs ready for NBA Finals rematch

An NBA fan and time traveler who leapt forward 27 years from June 1999 to June 2026 might be shocked to see the same exact teams facing off against one another over two decades apart.

The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs are primed to face off against one another once again-- the first Knicks appearance in the NBA Finals since their 1999 defeat at the hands of the same opponent.

Despite the analogous finals matchup, some components of modern life in 2026 may look unfamiliar to the time traveler, while other scenes may strike a similar chord.

Click here for all the ways things have changed, and a few of the ways things stayed the same.

ByJoelle Garguilo WABC logo

Jun 03, 2026, 2:55 PM GMT

Meet Anthony Donahue: Die-hard Knicks with a big heart

There are fans and then there are superfans. Meet Anthony Donahue: the man who has bled blue and orange his whole life.

For him, the Knicks are so much more than just his favorite team, they were an escape from a tough childhood.

They were a family who rallied for him when he needed it most.

He's been called the Knicks biggest fan -- and it might be hard to argue with that.

Known as "Anthony MSG" around The Garden, Donahue spoke with Joelle Garguilo about his life's journey as a Knicks fan.

ByAnthony Johnson WABC logo

Jun 03, 2026, 2:36 PM GMT

Meet the Knicks fans who traveled to San Antonio for Game 1

For Knicks fans in New York City and around our area, a chance to see their team in the NBA Finals is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

It is no doubt going to be electric for Game 3 at the Garden -- but there are evidently some fans who can't wait until then.

Some fans made the trip to San Antonio to catch Game 1 and caught up with Anthony Johnson:

Anthony Johnson has more from San Antonio, Texas.

Jun 03, 2026, 8:55 PM GMT

Knicks postseason has generated $202M in economic activity, Mamdani says

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York City Economic Development Corporation President & CEO Jeanny Pak announced that the New York Knicks' 2026 postseason run has generated an estimated $202 million in economic activity from home games played so far.

As the Knicks return to the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years, the postseason has the potential to generate a total of $465 million in economic activity if all possible home games are played.

Chantee Lans has more on the economic impact

"New Yorkers have been waiting 27 years for this moment," said Mayor Mamdani. "I've watched this team from the nosebleeds, from my couch with my family and alongside neighbors across this city. Millions of New Yorkers have done the same from living rooms, restaurants, barbershops and street corners in every borough. When the Knicks win, New York comes alive. And as these numbers make clear, that energy supports small businesses, workers and neighborhoods that make New York what it is. Go Knicks."