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

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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.

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Here's how the news is developing.

Jun 09, 2026, 3:39 AM GMT

Knicks 13-game postseason win streak snapped, lose 115-111 to Spurs

The Knicks 13-game postseason win streak was snapped after they lost 115-111 to the Spurs in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden.

The Spurs handed the Knicks their first loss in 46 days and potentially salvaged their season in front of a Madison Square Garden crowd that included President Donald Trump.

The Knicks had their 13-game winning streak, the second-longest in NBA postseason history, snapped and missed a chance to move to the brink of their first championship since 1973.

Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox hit big shots late as the Spurs avoided falling into a 3-0 hole, which no NBA team has escaped. Now they can tie the series Wednesday night and are guaranteed another game at home, with Game 5 scheduled for Saturday.

Castle finished with 23 points as the Spurs got started in their quest to become the first team to win the NBA Finals after losing the first two at home.

Jalen Brunson scored 32 points and OG Anunoby had 28 for the Knicks, who lost for the first time since April 23 in Game 3 of their first-round series against Atlanta.

Jun 09, 2026, 1:51 AM GMT

Knicks lead by 7 at the half

The Knicks stormed back with 42 second-quarter points to take a 64-57 lead at the half.

New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) shoots during Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the San Antonio Spurs. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Jun 09, 2026, 1:41 AM GMT

The scene at Bryant Park watch party

Knicks fans were on top of a car and climbing scaffolding outside of the Bryant Park Game 3 watch party.

Jun 09, 2026, 1:16 AM GMT

Spurs take early lead in Game 3

The Spurs led by as much as 12 points in the first quarter. Wemby had a hot hand, scoring 9 points. The quarter ended with the Spurs up 33-22 over the Knicks.