Sports

Knicks Win First NBA Title in 53 Years

Are the Knicks champions because of their own greatness or because the Spurs gave the series away?

Published JUN 14

Story

Above: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy in San Antonio, Texas, on June 13, 2026. Image credit: Ronald Cortes/Getty Images

The Facts

The New York Knicks claimed their first NBA championship in 53 years on Saturday, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to win the series 4-1.
9News Australia
The Straits Times
Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 45 points in the title-clinching win, leading four fourth-quarter comeback victories in the series after the Knicks trailed by double digits in all five games. Brunson was named Finals MVP.
NBA
New York Post
Nba.Com on X
The Spurs became the first team in NBA Finals history to lose four games in which they held double-digit leads. San Antonio led by as many as 16 points in Game 5 before the Knicks rallied to win.
CNN
FOX Sports
Spurs rookie Dylan Harper scored 25 points off the bench in Game 5, while Victor Wembanyama finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said, "The better team won."
NBA
The Straits Times
Susan Polgar on X
Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges became the first trio to win both an NCAA title and an NBA title together, having previously won the 2016 NCAA championship at Villanova.
Guardian
New York Post
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani organized watch parties outside Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Wollman Rink. He announced the Knicks' victory parade would take place on Thursday.
CNN
The Straits Times
Bleacher Report

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

These Knicks aren't just champions — they're the greatest New York sports team ever assembled. Winning 15 of their last 16 postseason games, including 13 straight, represents unprecedented playoff domination, and Jalen Brunson's decision to leave $113 million on the table to build a real roster is the kind of selfless leadership that defines dynasties. This title belongs to a city that never stopped believing.

NBC New York

The Athletic

Narrative B

The Knicks won it all, but the Spurs handed this series away with inexperience and late-game collapses. San Antonio held double-digit leads in all five games and still lost, while Victor Wembanyama visibly tired when it mattered most. A young Spurs team that reached the Finals ahead of schedule will learn hard lessons from blowing winnable games against a Knicks squad that simply refused to quit.

Guardian

Reuters