Brunson’s 45 Ends New York’s Championship Wait

SAN ANTONIO — Jalen Brunson scored 45 points as the Knicks beat the Spurs 94–90 on June 13, winning the NBA Finals in five games and delivering New York's first championship since 1973.

Brunson made 14 of 27 shots, including four of seven three-pointers, and converted 13 of 15 free throws. He finished with three rebounds and three assists and earned Finals MVP honors after carrying an extraordinary share of New York's scoring in the clincher.

The Knicks had to recover once again. San Antonio led by as many as 16 points and entered the fourth quarter ahead 72–65. New York outscored the Spurs 29–18 in the final period, completing another comeback in a series whose four Knicks wins all required overcoming double-digit deficits.

Mikal Bridges added 14 points, Josh Hart scored 13 with 11 rebounds and OG Anunoby finished with 11 points. New York shot only 35.6 percent from the field, making Brunson's production and the final defensive work especially consequential.

Dylan Harper led San Antonio with 25 points. Victor Wembanyama added 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks, while Julian Champagnie scored 14. The Spurs had enough control to build a substantial lead, but they could not hold it through the last quarter.

The title ended a 53-year wait for the Knicks. The closing game did not look comfortable enough to suggest that history alone carried them. They had to solve another deficit, produce when possessions tightened and keep San Antonio from finding the scores that would have extended the series.

Brunson supplied the defining performance. His 45 points accounted for nearly half of New York's total, turning a difficult shooting night for the team into a championship finish. The Knicks left San Antonio with the series, the trophy and a final quarter that completed the work.