In Game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 14 Beijing time, the New York Knicks, led by franchise star Jalen Brunson's game-high 45 points, came from behind to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 94–90 on the road, winning the series 4–1. It marks the Knicks' third NBA championship in franchise history and their first title since 1973, ending a 53-year wait.
During the game, the Knicks trailed by as many as 16 points, but displayed the comeback resilience that defined their playoff run — once again pulling off a dramatic turnaround. In all four of their wins in the series, the Knicks had fallen behind by double digits at some point, yet managed to complete the comeback each time.
The final quarter became Brunson's personal showcase. The left-handed point guard scored 13 points in the fourth quarter alone, finishing with 45 overall, leading his team to overtake the Spurs and seal the victory. He also set a new Knicks franchise record for most points in a Finals game, breaking the mark of 38 set by legendary center Willis Reed in Game 3 of the 1970 Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Since joining the Knicks in 2022, Brunson has quickly become the team's cornerstone, leading the long-dormant traditional powerhouse back to the pinnacle of the league. With this championship victory, he has officially cemented his place among the franchise's all-time greats.
Beyond Brunson, the "Villanova Trio" also made significant contributions. Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart — who won an NCAA championship together with Brunson at Villanova University — scored 14 and 13 points respectively, teaming up with Brunson to power the Knicks' offense.
Notably, Brunson won two NCAA championships during his college career — in Houston (2016) and San Antonio (2018). Now, he has once again claimed championship glory on Texas soil, leading the Knicks to end a wait of more than half a century.
As the Finals concluded, the Knicks officially hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy, putting a perfect finishing touch on the 2025–26 season. The team has now won its third NBA championship in franchise history, following their titles in 1970 and 1973.
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