The Knicks are NBA champions, after Brunson's 45 leads way to 94-90 win over Spurs
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- Jalen Brunson led the New York Knicks to their first NBA championship in 53 years, scoring a record 45 points in Game 5 of the Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, securing a 94-90 victory and a 4-1 series win.
- Brunson's 13 consecutive points in the fourth quarter and his Finals MVP award capped a remarkable comeback, as the Knicks rallied from double-digit deficits in all four of their wins during the series.
- The Knicks' success was bolstered by the "Nova Knicks" trio of Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, all former Villanova NCAA champions, who combined for 72 points in the series.
- The Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama's 19 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks, struggled to maintain early leads and fell short despite historic first-quarter leads in multiple games.
- Celebrations erupted in New York City with fireworks and street festivities, and the Knicks' championship parade is scheduled for Thursday, marking a historic moment for the franchise and its fans.