What happened: The New York Knicks captured the 2026 NBA Championship on Saturday night, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5. The victory secures a 4-1 series win and brings the Larry O'Brien Trophy back to Manhattan for the first time in over five decades.

Why it matters: The championship validates the franchise's multi-year resurgence and ends one of the longest title droughts in professional sports history. The Knicks displayed historic resilience throughout the Finals, becoming the first team in NBA history to win four games in a single series after trailing by double digits in each.

What to watch: The team will return to New York for a championship parade through the Canyon of Heroes. City officials are already preparing for a historic celebration expected to draw millions of fans.