Brunson Drops 45 To Lead Knicks To NBA Championship Glory In 53 Years

Brunson Drops 45 To Lead Knicks To NBA Championship Glory In 53 Years

The New York Knicks ended a 53-year championship drought with a 94–90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals, clinching the series 4–1 at Frost Bank Center on Sunday, June 14.

Knicks captain Jalen Brunson delivered a historic performance, scoring 45 points, an NBA Finals franchise record, to earn Finals MVP honors and lead New York to its first title since 1973.

The Knicks rallied from multiple double-digit deficits throughout the series, including a comeback in Game 5 after trailing by as many as 16 points.

The Spurs were led by Dylan Harper (25 points) and Victor Wembanyama (19 points, 14 rebounds, 5 blocks), but could not extend the series.

Ultimately, Brunson’s late-game scoring surge sealed a historic championship, cementing his place among Knicks legends and delivering one of the franchise’s most iconic Finals performances.

The historic night also marked key international milestones. Ariel Hukporti (Germany; ties to Togo) became the first player of Togolese descent to win an NBA championship, while O.G. Anunoby (UK; ties to Nigeria) secured his second NBA title.

Mike Brown – New York Knicks Head Coach

“I couldn't believe it, that was the first thing. It was surreal. I couldn't believe that it was happening. And I am so tired. I mean, I'm gassed. And you know, just this stuff is harder than what you think, and you know, you have to have great assistants. You have to have great players, but I was gassed. I'll never forget, in 2003, as an assistant here, and when we won the Championship, I'll never forget. I was on the other bench, when the buzzer went off, I was sitting on my chair. All did I was lean back in my chair and I sat there, I felt like, for 10 minutes. It was probably 30 seconds but I just wanted to breathe. I wanted to breathe.”

Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks, 2026 NBA Finals MVP

“Honestly, tonight, we played like we wanted to go home champions, to finish the game, not to start the game, to finish the game. Yeah. It means the world to me, to go on that court with those guys, whatever environment we're in, home or away, doesn't matter for us.”

“No pressure. No pressure whatsoever. I've described pressure in the past. My dad being on eight or nine unguaranteed contracts throughout his career and not knowing when you're going to get cut, when a team is going to move on from you, while you're family is on the East Coast and you are wherever you are in the country. That's pressure. Working out three times a day in the summertime and watching him push himself just to get a training camp deal, that's pressure. I'm very fortunate to be in the position I am, and I definitely think I worked pretty hard, and so when the opportunity presented itself like it did today, I just trust my work. And if we win, we win. If we don't, we learn, we move forward. But I'm just never afraid to fail.”

OG Anunoby – New York Knicks

“The last one, I didn't get a chance to play [2019 NBA Finals], but it was special as well. They are both very special. This one, New York hadn't won in 52, 53 years. I'm sure the fans are going crazy. It's very special to do it for New York.”

Ariel Hukporti – New York Knicks

“I mean, I'm the first Togolese. So it means a lot. It means a lot. I got emotional a little bit towards the end but we got it done. I'm glad. Shoutout to Togo, so yeah.”

“It feels great. It feels great. 50-plus years, didn't bring a championship to New York. We did it. Now we're here celebrating with them fans. I want to thank the fans, too, appreciate them for supporting us all the time. Yeah, nothing else to say. I mean, we got it done. I'm happy, man. It feels great. Amazing. Best thing in the world. I can't even describe it when I'm being honest but yeah. Yeah, sh-- for me personally, I got drafted last so that means a lot for me.”