What happened: Jalen Brunson scored a franchise-record 45 points as the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 to clinch the NBA Finals. The victory secures a 4-1 series win and brings the Larry O'Brien Trophy back to Manhattan for the first time in over half a century.
Why it matters: The win cements Brunson’s legacy as Finals MVP and completes a historic journey for Josh Hart and Brunson, who have now won both NCAA and NBA titles together. New York’s resilience defined the series, as they became the first team in league history to win four Finals games after trailing by double digits in each.
By the numbers: Jalen Brunson: 45 PTS (NYK Finals record), Finals MVP Josh Hart: 13 PTS, 15 REB Series Result: Knicks win 4-1 Championship Drought: 53 years (Ended)
What to watch: The city of New York is preparing for a massive championship parade to celebrate the team's third title in