New York Knicks: 2026 NBA Champions
Fifty-three years. That is how long New York waited. The Knicks walked into the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Saturday night, took a punch, and then let Jalen Brunson take over. Brunson scored 45 points -- including 13 consecutive in the fourth quarter -- to lead New York past San Antonio 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The Knicks win the title 4-1 and are NBA Champions for the first time since Willis Reed limped onto the court in 1973. Brunson was named Finals MVP, becoming only the second player in history to score 45 on the road in a championship-clinching game, after Michael Jordan in 1998.
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Game 5 Box Score
| Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | NYK | 45 | 3 | 3 | 14-27 FG, 4-7 3P · Finals MVP · 13 straight in Q4 |
| Victor Wembanyama | SAS | 19 | 14 | - | 7-19 FG, 1-6 3P, 5 blocks -- monster stats, not enough |
How the Game Unfolded
San Antonio came out with the home energy the series demanded, and for three quarters it was a game. Wembanyama was everywhere -- 14 rebounds, 5 blocks -- and the Spurs' defense held New York in check through much of the second and third. At the start of the fourth, the outcome was genuinely uncertain.
Then Brunson took over. He scored 13 consecutive points for New York in the fourth quarter, turning what had been a competitive game into a 94-90 final. Each time the Spurs answered, Brunson hit another shot. Each time it looked like the pressure would crack New York, Brunson buried it. The final buzzer set off a celebration that ran from San Antonio to every sports bar in Manhattan.
This was the story of the series. The Knicks came from double-digit deficits in all four of their wins. Game 4's 29-point comeback was the largest in Finals history. Game 5 was tighter, but it followed the same script: New York absorbs the early blow, then leans on Brunson.
Full Series Results
| Game | Date | Result | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1 (San Antonio) | Jun 5 | NYK 105-95 | Road win to open the series |
| G2 (San Antonio) | Jun 7 | NYK 105-104 | Back-to-back road wins; 2-0 lead |
| G3 (New York) | Jun 9 | SAS 115-111 | Wemby 32/8/6; Spurs steal one at MSG |
| G4 (New York) | Jun 11 | NYK 107-106 | Down 29; Anunoby tip-in 1.2 sec left (Brunson 36) |
| G5 (San Antonio) | Jun 13 | NYK 94-90 | Brunson 45 pts, 13 straight in Q4 -- CHAMPIONS |
Betting Recap: Game 5
- Knicks moneyline +180: ✅ WIN. The value play delivered. A $100 bet returned $180 profit as New York proved once again they close series on the road.
- Under 216.5: ✅ WIN. 94 + 90 = 184 total points. Both defenses were locked in with a title on the line; the under won by 32 points.
- Brunson over 30.5 points: ✅ WIN. By 14.5 points. Brunson's 45 was one of the great Finals performances of the modern era.
- Wembanyama double-double: ✅ WIN. 19 points, 14 rebounds. Wemby was dominant -- the Spurs just couldn't stop Brunson.
Finals MVP: Jalen Brunson
Brunson's Finals MVP is one of the most deserved in recent memory. He averaged over 35 points per game across the five Finals games, delivered the biggest performance when New York needed it most (36 in the G4 comeback), and then raised the bar again with 45 in the clincher. The Jordan comparison -- 45 points on the road to close out the Finals -- isn't hyperbole. It's what the stat sheet says.
For a player who came to New York via free agency from Dallas and was immediately put on a big stage, Brunson has met every moment. He now stands alongside Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, and Patrick Ewing in the franchise's Hall of Fame moments -- and this one ends with a ring.
What This Means for New York Bettors
Anyone who backed the Knicks futures early in the season at +700 or longer is cashing a major ticket. The Knicks' championship props became available on all nine NY books after clinching the ECF; they opened around -400 and drifted to -900 after Game 4. Anyone who backed Brunson for Finals MVP at +300 or longer -- or the Knicks to win the title outright at the start of the postseason -- is collecting significant returns today.
Next season's Knicks repeat odds and NBA futures will be available at all NY books within days. The defending champion window typically opens at around +600 to +1000 for defending champions; expect Brunson's repeat MVP prices to draw heavy action in New York.
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See our full 2026 playoff betting guide for the complete series history and all results. Compare all nine NY operators at our NY sportsbooks comparison.
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