For the first time in 53 years, the New York Knicks are NBA champions after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 on the road in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night.
The Knicks win the series 4-1, and Jalen Brunson, who had a game-high 45 points on Saturday night, was named Finals MVP.
New York last won an NBA title in 1973.
As they have in all the games in this series, the Knicks had to overcome a double-digit deficit. In Game 4, they overcame a 29-point deficit, an NBA Finals record; in Game 5, they trailed by as many as 16 points, and the Knicks had to overcome a 15-point second-half deficit. Brunson led the way.
He scored 15 points in the fourth, including 13 straight for the Knicks to give New York the lead for good, and they would hold on to get the victory.
Mikal Bridges had 14 points for the Knicks, and Josh Hart added 13 points and 11 rebounds.
For the Spurs, Dylan Harper had 25 points, five rebounds, and four assists off the bench, and Victor Wembanyama chipped in with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks.
Bottom Line:
The Spurs will look back at this series with disgust. They blew double-digit leads in every game in this series, and in Game 4, they lost a 29-point lead, which is inexcusable.
You can’t overcome those things and expect to beat a great team like the Knicks, who had a never-say-die attitude, which carried them past the Spurs.
Additionally, the Spurs did not execute down the stretch; they are a young team, and they played like one.
Conversely, the Knicks were a battle-tested team, and they played like one in these playoffs and in this series.
Brunson is a special player who came up big when his team needed him the most. He carried the Knicks offensively and carried them to victory in Game 5. He’s been doubted all his life, but just like in college, he keeps winning.
The Spurs with Victor Wembanyama should get back to this point, but nothing is guaranteed.
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