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New York Knicks defeat San Antonio Spurs to win 2026 NBA Finals championship

By Updated 14 June 202617 articles from 4 sources

Consensus Summary

The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals, winning 94-90 to secure their first championship since 1973. The series was marked by dramatic comebacks, with the Knicks making a record 29-point comeback in Game 4 to take a 3-1 lead. Jalen Brunson was the standout performer, scoring 45 points in Game 5 and earning Finals MVP honors. The Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, struggled with late-game mistakes and fatigue, particularly in Game 2 and Game 4, where Wembanyama’s turnover and missed shots proved costly. The Knicks' resilience and clutch performances, especially by Brunson and OG Anunoby, proved decisive. The series also drew significant attention due to high-profile attendees like Taylor Swift and Donald Trump, with Game 3 at Madison Square Garden becoming a focal point for media and fans alike.

✓ Verified by 2+ sources

Key details reported by multiple sources:

  • The New York Knicks won the 2026 NBA Finals in Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs, securing their first championship since 1973.
  • Jalen Brunson was named NBA Finals MVP after scoring 45 points in Game 5, including 13 straight in the fourth quarter.
  • The Knicks made a record comeback from a 29-point deficit in Game 4, winning 107-106 on OG Anunoby’s tip-in with 1.2 seconds left.
  • Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 24 points and 13 rebounds in Game 4 but shot just 9-for-25 from the field.
  • Game 5 was played on June 14 (US time) at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, with the Knicks winning 94-90.
  • The Knicks won the series 4-1, with Jalen Brunson scoring 36 points in Game 4 and 45 points in Game 5.
  • Taylor Swift attended Game 4 at Madison Square Garden, wearing a blue T-shirt with 'Stevie Knicks' printed on it.
  • Donald Trump attended Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, where he was booed during the national anthem.
  • The Spurs lost Game 2 after Victor Wembanyama’s late turnover and missed shot, with the Knicks winning 105-104.
  • The Knicks had a 13-game playoff winning streak before losing Game 3 to the Spurs.

Points of Difference

Details reported by only one source:

ABC News
  • A fan ran onto the court during Game 1 to take a selfie with Victor Wembanyama, interrupting play.
  • The Knicks' 13-game winning streak was the second-longest in NBA playoff history, behind the 2017 Warriors' 15-game streak.
  • The Spurs became the first team in the play-by-play era to lead five Finals games by 10 points or more in first quarters.
The Guardian
  • Spurs coach Mitch Johnson was concerned about Victor Wembanyama’s fatigue after he played 44 minutes in Game 4.
  • The Knicks' outdoor watch party outside Madison Square Garden was canceled due to security restrictions around Trump’s attendance at Game 3.
  • The Spurs' 27-point half-time lead in Game 4 was the largest by a visiting team in NBA Finals history.
  • The Knicks' 107-106 win in Game 4 was the largest comeback in NBA Finals history since the NBA began keeping detailed play-by-play in 1997.
Sydney Morning Herald
  • Celebrity guests at Game 4 included Este and Alana Haim, who wore Knicks-themed shirts ('Knickole Kidman' and 'Knickleback').
  • Reports suggested Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce might marry at Madison Square Garden in early July, though unconfirmed.
The Age
  • The Knicks' 107-106 win in Game 4 was described as a 'Madison Square Garden miracle'.
  • The Knicks' 29-point comeback in Game 4 was the largest in NBA Finals history since Boston’s 24-point comeback against the Lakers in 2008.
ARTICLE_3
  • Game 1 was interrupted by a fan sprinting onto the court to take a selfie with Victor Wembanyama, who was later described as 'the most exciting player in the world'.
ARTICLE_6
  • The Spurs' aggressive half-court trap in Game 2 led to multiple turnovers and fouls, including a technical foul on Mitchell Robinson.
ARTICLE_10
  • Jalen Brunson battled a knee injury in Game 1 but returned to score 30 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter.

Contradictions

Conflicting information between sources:

  • Article 3 states the Knicks won Game 1 105-95, but Article 10 states the score was 105-95 with Jalen Brunson scoring 30 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, which is consistent, but Article 10 does not mention the 105-95 score explicitly.
  • Article 1 states Victor Wembanyama missed a potential game-winning shot in Game 2, while Article 9 states he missed a shot at the buzzer, but both agree on the outcome of the game.
  • Article 4 mentions a 105-104 score in Game 2, but Article 1 states the score was 105-104 with Wembanyama’s missed shot at the buzzer, which is consistent.
  • Article 12 says Wembanyama played 44 minutes in Game 4, but Article 14 states he appeared to tire late in the game, implying he did not play the full 44 minutes.
  • Article 13 and Article 14 both mention the Knicks' 29-point comeback in Game 4, but Article 13 states the Spurs led 81-52 in the third quarter, while Article 14 states the lead was 29 points at the start of the second half.

Source Articles

GUARDIAN

‘I messed up’: Wembanyama rues late mistakes after heartbreaking Spurs loss

Knicks edge Spurs 105-104 to take 2-0 NBA finals lead Wembanyama made costly turnover in final seconds No team has won finals after losing first two at home San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama could barely remember the details of the late-game miscues that cost the Spurs in their agonizing 105-104 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the NBA finals on Friday. The Spurs used a 14-0 scoring run to erase a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and briefly took a one-point lead before it all fell apart

GUARDIAN

Wembanyama brushes off historic collapse and eyes NBA finals comeback: ‘We’re over it. It’s the playoffs’

San Antonio Spurs trail 3-1 in best-of-seven series Team blew 29-point lead to lose Game 4 Victor Wembanyama says the San Antonio Spurs have shaken off the biggest single-game collapse in NBA finals history and are ready to face the New York Knicks on Saturday. The Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit to hand the Spurs a crushing 107-106 victory in Game 4 of the series and can win their first title since 1973 with victory in San Antonio. Continue reading...

ABC

Knicks win NBA finals opener interrupted by selfie-hunting fan

The New York steals game one of the NBA finals in San Antonio, shaking off a brief interruption by a court invader.

GUARDIAN

NBA finals 2026 Game 3: San Antonio Spurs v New York Knicks – live updates

Knicks host Spurs with 2-0 lead in best-of-seven series Donald Trump given hostile reception at NBA finals How New York Knicks finals fever reached Rikers Island Reach out to Bryan on Bluesky or by email Spurs 19-9 Knicks, 6.49, 1st quarter Finally, it’s time for basketball. The Spurs rattle off the first seven points behind a couple of Wembayana dunks and a Vassell three, doing their best to take the steam out of a deafening atmosphere. Hart answers with a three-pointer, but another Wembanyama

SMH

Taylor Swift, stars and a stunning comeback: New York pull off the impossible in NBA finals thriller

The celebrities were in the house as the New York Knicks set a record for the biggest comeback in NBA finals history.

GUARDIAN

NBA finals 2026 Game 2: New York Knicks v San Antonio Spurs – live

NBA finals predictions: our writers give their verdicts From Game 1: in a mud wrestle, Brunson was difference Tip-off is at 8.30pm ET from Frost Bank Center Email beau.dure@theguardian.com with your thoughts Knicks 0-3 Spurs, 11:43, 1st quarter: Ball is kicked back out to Vassell for 3 on the game’s first possession. Matthew Bentham writes: “Even though it’s only game 2, it feels like do or die for the Spurs , no?” Continue reading...

ABC

Knicks pull off Madison Square Garden miracle in NBA Finals

The New York Knicks complete the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, rallying from 29 points down to beat San Antonio in game four and move to the brink of a first title in 53 years.

GUARDIAN

Knicks beat Spurs with largest NBA finals comeback to move to brink of first title since 1973

Knicks erase 29-point deficit to win Game 4 Anunoby scores winner with 2.3 seconds left New York take commanding 3-1 Finals lead The New York Knicks stared into the abyss and somehow found a way out. Facing a 29-point deficit in front of a shell-shocked Madison Square Garden crowd, New York completed the largest comeback in NBA finals history on Wednesday night when OG Anunoby’s tip-in off a Jalen Brunson missed three made the difference in a 107-106 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4. The

ABC

Nightmare turnover leaves Wembanyama, Spurs in NBA Finals hole

Victor Wembanyama turns the ball over and misses two shots in a horror final minute as the Knicks take a 2-0 series lead back to New York.

GUARDIAN

NBA finals: Brilliant Brunson leads surging Knicks to victory over Spurs in Game 1

New York Knicks 105–95 San Antonio Spurs Knicks guard leads way with 30 points The New York Knicks entered Game 1 of this year’s NBA finals on one of the hottest streaks in playoff history: 11 games won in a row with opponents humiliated, humbled and crushed along the way. On Wednesday night in San Antonio many believed that streak would end as they faced the Spurs, who had knocked out the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the previous round, and are led by the most exciting player in

ABC

Knicks end 53-year drought to win NBA championship

New York Knicks come from behind to defeat San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

GUARDIAN

Victor Wembanyama confident he can help Spurs stage NBA finals comeback: ‘This is what I’m built for’

San Antonio 2-0 down in best-of-seven series Game 3 is on Monday night at Madison Square Victor Wembanyama’s dream run in his first NBA playoffs has taken a nightmarish turn, but the San Antonio Spurs star says he is embracing the setbacks as well as the success. “I think the key is acceptance a lot of times, taking a step back, realizing all the journey that’s behind this and what’s ahead of this,” Wembanyama said on Sunday as the Spurs prepared for a crucial Game 3 of the NBA finals in what pr

THEAGE

Taylor Swift, stars and a stunning comeback: New York pull off the impossible in NBA finals thriller

The celebrities were in the house as the New York Knicks set a record for the biggest comeback in NBA finals history.

GUARDIAN

Knicks beat Spurs to win their first NBA title since 1973 as brilliant Brunson shines again

As it happened: Knicks 94–90 Spurs Jalen Brunson scores 45 points to seal 4-1 series victory Good things come to those who wait for a long, long time. The New York Knicks clinched their first NBA championship for 53 years with another thrilling late comeback win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. Three days after grabbing a 3-1 NBA finals series lead by completing the largest comeback in finals history at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks sealed the deal on the road with another epic displa

GUARDIAN

‘He is him’: indomitable Jalen Brunson quiets doubters as Knicks end 53-year wait

The Knicks ended a decades-long title drought behind a 45-point explosion from Brunson, whose teammates say his influence extends far beyond the box score The New York Knicks spent decades searching for the player who could carry them back to the top of the NBA. On Saturday night, Jalen Brunson removed any remaining doubt that they had found him. With Karl-Anthony Towns limited to two points and New York struggling offensively for much of the evening, the Knicks’ 6ft 2in floor general erupted fo

GUARDIAN

NBA finals: Knicks within two wins of elusive title after holding off Spurs in Game 2

Brunson leads Knicks to second road finals win New York take 2-0 series lead back to Garden Spurs face uphill battle after home-court sweep The white-hot New York Knicks moved within two wins of their first NBA championship in more than half a century on Friday night, edging the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 in a Game 2 thriller to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the NBA finals before the series shifts to Madison Square Garden. After stealing Game 1 with a furious fourth-quarter comeback , the Knicks

GUARDIAN

NBA finals: Wembanyama silences Garden’s party as Spurs beat Knicks in Game 3

As it happened: Spurs 115-111 Knicks French star leads Spurs to win with 32 points Knicks lead best-of-seven series 2-1 Trump given hostile reception by New York crowd The spectacle at Madison Square Garden on Monday night was such that the basketball almost took a back seat to everything else. The president in the suites . The mayor in the crowd. Movie stars along the sideline. The culmination of days of talk over $10,000 tickets, heightened security and cancelled watch parties alongside the an