"The most iconic shot in the history of New York basketball."
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the 2026 NBA Finals, securing their first championship since 1973. The Knicks won Game 5 on the road, 94-90, to clinch the series. Guard Jalen Brunson was named NBA Finals MVP.
Game 5: Knicks Clinch Championship in San Antonio
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 13, 2026, at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
- Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 45 points for the Knicks, setting a franchise record for most points in a Finals game. He was named Finals MVP, averaging 32.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in the series. Brunson scored 45 points, the most by a player in a championship-clinching road game since Michael Jordan in 1998.
- For the Knicks, Mikal Bridges scored 14 points, and Josh Hart added 13 points. OG Anunoby scored three baskets in the game. Karl-Anthony Towns played through foul trouble and fouled out after 23 minutes, scoring 2 points.
- For the Spurs, Dylan Harper scored a team-high 25 points. Victor Wembanyama recorded 19 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocked shots.
- San Antonio took a 31-15 lead early in the first quarter. The Knicks overcame a 16-point deficit to win.
- The combined 79 points in the first half were the lowest in a Finals game since Game 7 of the 2010 Lakers-Celtics series.
- The Spurs became the first team in the play-by-play era (since 1996-97) to lead by 10 or more points in the first quarter of five Finals games.
"Hey, New York, I'm sorry it took so long, but here we are and hopefully it won't take that long again!" — James Dolan
Game 4: Largest Comeback in NBA Finals History
In Game 4, played on June 10, 2026, at Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 107-106. The Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit, setting a record for the largest comeback in NBA Finals history. The previous record was a 24-point comeback by the Boston Celtics in 2008.
First Half
- The Spurs led 12-2 early after a steal and dunk by Julian Champagnie.
- Karl-Anthony Towns received his second foul two minutes into the game and played only three minutes in the first quarter.
- The Spurs led by 19 points after the first quarter. Victor Wembanyama scored 13 points in the first quarter; Devin Vassell added 12.
- The Spurs led 76-49 at halftime. This was the largest road halftime lead in NBA Finals history (excluding the 2020 bubble season) and the third-largest overall.
- San Antonio made 14 three-pointers in the first half, an NBA Finals record for most three-pointers in a half.
Second Half and Comeback
- The Knicks outscored the Spurs 58-30 in the second half.
- The Knicks cut the deficit to 16 points with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
- With 9:16 remaining, down 20 points, Jose Alvarado made a corner three-pointer. Over the next five minutes, the Knicks went on a 20-4 run.
- With 2:20 remaining, Jalen Brunson made a three-pointer over Victor Wembanyama to cut the deficit to one point.
- After a Spurs turnover, Josh Hart missed a fast-break layup and fouled Wembanyama, who missed both free throws with 1:47 remaining.
- Jalen Brunson made a left-hand floater to give the Knicks a 105-104 lead with 1:22 remaining.
- Stephon Castle made two free throws with 30 seconds remaining to give the Spurs a 106-105 lead.
- With 1.2 seconds remaining, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson missed a three-point shot. Forward OG Anunoby tipped in the miss to give the Knicks a 107-106 lead. The San Antonio Spurs failed to inbound the ball before the final buzzer.
Key Player Statistics (Game 4)
- Jalen Brunson (Knicks): 36 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists.
- OG Anunoby (Knicks): 33 points, including 7 three-pointers, and the game-winning tip-in.
- Victor Wembanyama (Spurs): 24 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks.
- Devin Vassell (Spurs): 18 points, shooting 5 of 5 on three-pointers.
- Dylan Harper (Spurs): 21 points off the bench.
Championship Celebrations
Parade
- A ticker-tape parade for the Knicks was held in Manhattan on June 18, 2026.
- The parade began at 10 a.m. ET near Battery Park, proceeded north on Broadway through the "Canyon of Heroes," and concluded at City Hall.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani presided over a ceremony at City Hall Plaza, where players were presented with Keys to the City. Alicia Keys performed "Empire State of Mind."
- The NYPD deployed 10,000 officers. 650 sanitation workers were assigned to clean up.
- This was the city's 210th ticker-tape parade and the first for the Knicks franchise, despite previous championships in 1970 and 1973.
- The last ticker-tape parade in New York City was for the New York Liberty in 2024 after their WNBA championship.
Media Appearances
- The Knicks team appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on June 15, 2026.
Notable Attendees (Games 4 & 5)
Attendees at various Finals games included Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, Larry David, Timothée Chalamet, Jerry Seinfeld, Jimmy Fallon, Adam Sandler, Taylor Swift, members of HAIM, Mariska Hargitay, Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, John McEnroe, and David Zaslav.
Statements
- Knicks coach Mike Brown described Anunoby's game-winning tip-in as "the most iconic shot in the history of New York basketball."
- Knicks owner James Dolan said, "Hey, New York, I'm sorry it took so long, but here we are and hopefully it won't take that long again!"
- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the parade in a statement, calling it "a parade of immense excitement across our city." He predicted it could become the largest parade in New York City history.