NBA-Knicks defeat Spurs to snap 53-year NBA title drought
By ReutersReuters
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 90-94 on Saturday to claim their first NBA championship since 1973.
Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 45 points as the Knicks closed out the best-of-seven NBA Finals in five games, just days after completing the greatest comeback seen in the championship round.
The Spurs started strong once again and held several double-digit leads all night, but the Knicks crawled back and finally took their first lead with 3:40 left to play.
The Spurs were unable to come back and the Knicks capped off a dominant championship run that saw them lose just three games in the postseason.
(Reporting by Nicole Fernandes in Toronto; Editing by William Mallard)
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) and San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) battle for the ball during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Pool Photo via Imagn Images Geoff Burke Reuters
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles the ball against San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) in the second half during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Scott Wachter Reuters
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) makes a jump shot over San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) during the third quarter during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images Dustin Safranek Reuters
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) shoots the ball past New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Geoff Burke Reuters
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This story was originally published June 13, 2026 at 9:23 PM.