Knicks Celebrate 1st NBA Title in 53 Years After Beating Spurs 4-1
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 15
Knicks Celebrate 1st NBA Title in 53 Years After Beating Spurs 4-1
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 15
Summary
New York’s championship starters appeared on NBC’s “TODAY” on Monday, still processing the franchise’s first NBA crown since 1973 after closing out San Antonio in five games.
Game 5 ended with a 4-point Knicks win on Saturday, capping a Finals run that also featured OG Anunoby’s Game 4 tip-in and a record 29-point comeback that put New York up 3-1.
Jalen Brunson said the title was a team achievement, while Karl-Anthony Towns pointed to the group’s unity as the foundation of a roster built around Brunson, Towns and the Villanova trio.
That roster delivered one of the league’s most dramatic playoff runs: after falling behind 2-1 to Atlanta in Round 1, the Knicks won 13 straight postseason games and swept Philadelphia and Cleveland.
The championship came in Mike Brown’s first season after Tom Thibodeau’s firing, ending decades of Knicks heartbreak and igniting citywide celebrations.
Fired after winning Coach of the Year, how did Mike Brown mastermind the Knicks' historic championship run?
After a 53-year wait, why did the Knicks' championship celebration in Times Square descend into chaos and destruction?
2026 NBA Champions: The New York Knicks’ Historic Title Run and Its Impact on the League’s Parity Era
Overview
On June 14, 2026, the New York Knicks ended a 53-year championship drought by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 to claim their third NBA title. This victory was especially meaningful for star player Jalen Brunson, who completed a unique 'Texas three-step' of championships and called it the sweetest win of his career. The Knicks’ journey was defined by their ability to conquer comebacks, showing resilience and determination. Their triumph not only restored their status as NBA champions but also fulfilled Brunson’s dream and the very reason he joined New York.