The New York Knicks are NBA champions for the first time since 1973, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals with a 94-90 victory on Saturday night . The Knicks captured the series 4-1, completing a remarkable postseason run that saw them overcome double-digit deficits in all four of their Finals wins .

Jalen Brunson delivered a historic performance in the clinching game, scoring 45 points to set a new Knicks franchise record for points in an NBA Finals game, surpassing Willis Reed’s 38-point effort in the 1970 series . The Villanova product was unstoppable down the stretch, scoring 13 consecutive points for New York in the fourth quarter to erase a 16-point deficit .

The victory marks the Knicks' first championship in 53 years and just the third in franchise history . The team finished the regular season with a 53-29 record, securing the third seed in the Eastern Conference before embarking on an impressive playoff run .

Comeback Knicks Complete Historic Run

The Knicks established themselves as the comeback kings of these playoffs, particularly in the Finals. In Game 4, New York mounted the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, erasing a 29-point deficit to win 107-106 on OG Anunoby’s tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining .

Game 5 followed a similar script, with the Spurs building a first-quarter lead. San Antonio became the first team in the play-by-play era to lead five Finals games by 10 points or more in the first quarter . The Knicks struggled offensively early, missing 16 of their first 18 shots and each of their first 11 two-point attempts .

At one point in the second quarter, Spurs sensation Victor Wembanyama had more blocked shots (five) than the Knicks had made shots (four) . Despite the slow start, New York closed the half on a 22-9 run to cut the deficit to 42-37 at the break .

Mikal Bridges contributed 14 points while Josh Hart added 13 for the Knicks, helping form the "Nova Knicks" trio alongside Brunson that proved instrumental to the championship run .

Spurs Fall Short Despite Strong Efforts

San Antonio’s Dylan Harper came off the bench to lead the Spurs with 25 points, while Wembanyama posted 19 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocked shots in the losing effort . Despite the disappointing finish, the Spurs exceeded expectations by reaching the Finals after missing the playoffs for six consecutive seasons .

“We weren't ready to win an NBA championship,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said following the loss. “The better team won. We did a lot of good things, and we didn't finish the job. That's what it is” .

Wembanyama reflected on the experience, calling it “the biggest lesson of my life” .

Construction of a Championship Roster

The championship roster represents years of strategic team building under president Leon Rose, who has overseen basketball operations since 2020 . The foundation was laid when Brunson signed as a free agent in the summer of 2022, a move that coincided with his father Rick joining the coaching staff .

The Knicks made several key acquisitions through trades to build their championship core. OG Anunoby arrived via a blockbuster deal with Toronto in December 2023, while Josh Hart came from Portland at the 2023 trade deadline . The summer of 2024 proved transformative, with New York acquiring Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn in a deal that sent five first-round picks to their crosstown rivals and adding Karl-Anthony Towns in a trade that sent Julius Randle to Minnesota .

Mike Brown, who won four championships as an assistant before becoming the franchise’s 24th coach since the team’s last title in 1973, guided the Knicks to the championship in his first season with the team .

Playoff Path to Glory

The Knicks navigated a challenging playoff path to claim the title. After falling behind 2-1 against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, New York won 15 of its next 16 playoff games . The Knicks swept both the Philadelphia 76ers in the conference semifinals and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals .

During their streak, the Knicks set an all-time NBA record with a 47-point halftime lead against the Hawks in Game 6 of that series . New York’s only loss in the Finals came in Game 3, which was attended by former President Donald Trump .

The championship run also featured New York’s first trip to the Finals since 1999, when they lost to the Spurs . The franchise had suffered near-misses in 1994 and 1999 with names like Patrick Ewing and John Starks becoming part of Knicks lore .

Offseason Challenges Loom for Defending Champions

Despite the celebration, significant roster decisions await the organization this summer. Owner James Dolan has publicly stated his opposition to crossing the NBA’s second apron salary threshold, which is projected at $222 million for the 2026-27 season .

The starting five alone accounts for roughly $191 million in committed salary, with Towns due $53.1 million, Anunoby $39.6 million, Brunson $34.9 million, Bridges $24.9 million, and Hart $19.5 million . With eight players under guaranteed contracts, the Knicks project to have approximately $16.5 million of breathing room below the second apron .

Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet, both key contributors during the championship run, headline a list of six main-roster players set to become free agents this summer . Robinson, one of the league’s best offensive rebounders, earned approximately $13 million this past season and will likely command a similar salary on the open market .

The Knicks also possess a first-round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, though recent trade activity sent them out of the No. 24 spot in the first round, resulting in five additional second-round picks and cash considerations as the team aims to maintain financial flexibility .

With the championship celebration complete and a parade scheduled for Thursday in New York City, the Knicks must now turn their attention to the difficult task of defending their title while navigating complex salary cap constraints .