Knicks beat Spurs in Game 5 to win first NBA championship since 1973, ending 53-year drought
The New York Knicks are NBA champions for the first time in 53 years, capturing the title in a dramatic Game 5 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, 94-90, at the Frost Bank Center Saturday night.
The victory capped a memorable series and completed a historic comeback for New York, who had faced elimination in Game 4 before rallying to win the next three games. While the clincher came away from Madison Square Garden, the Knicks’ fan presence in San Antonio made the occasion feel like a home game.
The series began with San Antonio taking an early advantage, winning the first quarter in each of the first five games. Saturday was no different, as the Spurs jumped out to a double-digit lead early, holding New York to just 13 points on 4-for-22 shooting in the opening period—one of the lowest-scoring first quarters in NBA Finals history in the shot-clock era.
But the Knicks, as they had all series, refused to fold. Trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half, New York clawed back to within five at the break. A late flagrant foul on Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox helped the Knicks turn one possession into five points, cutting the lead to three before Devin Vassell’s buzzer-beating jumper gave San Antonio a 53-48 halftime advantage.
Jalen Brunson led New York with 16 first-half points, while Victor Wembanyama nearly recorded a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. However, the Knicks faced a major test early in the third quarter when Karl-Anthony Towns picked up his fourth foul just 15 seconds into the half. His replacement, Mitchell Robinson, committed a flagrant foul that allowed San Antonio to stretch the lead back to double digits.
The turning point came with 5:18 left in the third, when Brunson appeared to roll his ankle after landing on Wembanyama’s foot. The star guard stayed in the game after a timeout and erupted for 14 points in the quarter, cutting the Spurs’ lead to seven heading into the fourth.
Brunson took over in the final period. He tied the game at 83 with a layup with 4:48 remaining, then drew a foul on a three-point attempt and sank all three free throws to give New York its first lead since the first quarter. The Knicks pushed the advantage to three points with 2:07 left on a goaltending violation.
The final minutes turned chaotic. Towns fouled out, Wembanyama split two free throws, and Dylan Harper tied the game—only for Brunson to answer with another basket. With 16 seconds left, Castle’s putback dunk cut the deficit to two, but Mikal Bridges split a pair of free throws to give San Antonio the ball trailing by three.
The Knicks elected to foul rather than allow a potential tying three. Harper missed both free throws, New York secured the rebound, and the buzzer sounded to seal the championship.
Brunson finished with 45 points, tied for the third-most ever in a clinching NBA Finals game. Harper led San Antonio with 25 points.
For New York, the win ended more than five decades of waiting. Knicks fans had endured bad teams, failed rebuilds, 22 head coaches, and endless jokes. On Saturday night, the waiting was finally over.
