Knicks' Brunson seals Finals MVP honors with 45 points in Game 5

SAN ANTONIO -- Thanks to a performance for the ages, not only did Jalen Brunson lead the New York Knicks to their first NBA championship in more than a half-century, but he earned himself Finals MVP honors, as well.

Brunson capped his brilliant series by scoring 45 of New York's 94 points in its title-clinching victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night.

"We're going to find a way," Brunson told ESPN's Lisa Salters shortly after the buzzer sounded. "Whatever you put in front of us, we're going to find a way. ... Every time we step on this court. Every time."

Brunson carried the Knicks on his back and across the finish line with a game that will go down in history. He became one of four players -- along with Michael Jordan, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bob Pettit -- to score at least 45 points in a closeout game to win an NBA Finals in the 80-year history of the sport.

That was more than enough for Brunson to erase any doubts about who would be winning the top individual honor from this series.

"It's everything we ever dreamed of," Brunson said, while standing next to his father after accepting the Bill Russell Trophy.

"It's why I came to New York."

Brunson, who struggled from the floor earlier in the series, shot 14 for 27 in Game 5, including going 4-for-7 from 3-point range and 13-for-15 from the foul line.

He scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Knicks overcome a seven-point deficit to pull away and end the franchise's championship drought.

Saturday's title victory caps a remarkable four years since Brunson signed with the Knicks as a free agent in 2022. When he signed a four-year, $104 million contract after leaving the Dallas Mavericks as a free agent, many felt the Knicks overpaid him.

Instead, it has turned into one of the best free agent signings in NBA history. Before Brunson's arrival, the Knicks had won one playoff series in 21 seasons. In his four years with the Knicks, they have won at least one series in each of the past four seasons.

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