The 2026 NBA Finals crowned the New York Knicks champions 53 years after their last title, as they defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in a series defined by comebacks. Mike Brown’s team overcame double-digit deficits in all four of their victories, stole the first two games in San Antonio and ultimately closed out the title away from Madison Square Garden as well, with a competitive identity built around resilience, defense and the leadership of Jalen Brunson
The turning point of the series came in Game 4, when the Knicks completed the largest documented comeback in NBA Finals history, erasing a 29-point deficit and winning 107-106 on OG Anunoby’s decisive putback with 1.2 seconds remaining. San Antonio, led by Victor Wembanyama, had responded in Game 3 and remained competitive throughout, but could not recover from an emotional blow that gave New York a 3-1 lead and three chances to clinch the championship.
The finish came in Game 5, with a historic performance from Brunson: 45 points, a franchise record in an NBA Finals game, to lead the Knicks to a 94-90 victory and seal the title. The guard was named Finals MVP after averaging 32.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists, becoming the face of the Knicks’ return to the top of the NBA for the first time since 1973.
New York Knicks
*Brunson – 32.6p, 4.6a, 4.2r.
*Bridges – 10.4p, 3.6r, 3.4a.
*Hart – 5.8p, 9.8r, 4.6a.
*Anunoby – 21.2p, 4.8r, 1.4br.
*Towns – 13.0p, 10.6r, 2.4a.
McBride – 2.2p, 1.4a.
Alvarado – 4.2p, 2.6r, 1.4a.
Shamet – 6.8p, 2.0r, 1.0a.
Robinson – 3.6p, 5.6r.
Clarkson – 3.5p, 1.5r. (4)
Sochan – 0.0p. (3)
Hukporti – 0.0p, 1.0t. (2)
San Antonio Spurs
*Fox – 12.8p, 5.4a, 3.0r.
*Castle – 14.6p, 5.4r, 4.2a.
*Vassell – 12.8p, 6.8r, 2.8a.
*Champagnie – 11.0p, 5.4r, 1.8a.
*Wembanyama – 26.0p, 11.2r, 3.6t.
Harper – 18.0p, 6.4r, 3.0a.
Carter – 1.8p.
Johnson – 4.4p, 3.0r.
Kornet – 0.6p, 2.2r.
Barnes – 0.0p, 1.0r. (2)
To reach the Finals, they defeated…
Knicks – Hawks (4-2); Sixers (4-0); Cavaliers (4-0)
Spurs – Blazers (4-1); Timberwolves (4-2); Thunder (4-3)
