Brunson scores 45 points, earns Finals MVP in Knicks' championship win
Brunson's 45-point Game 5 performance secured the Knicks' first championship in 56 years.
Event / Sports
New York Knicks win 2026 NBA championship
2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 4 Jun, 09:31 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
With the victory in Game 4, the New York Knicks now lead the NBA Finals series 3-1 against the San Antonio Spurs in a best-of-seven matchup. The Knicks can win their third championship and first since 1973 with a victory in Game 5 scheduled for Saturday in San Antonio.
OG Anunoby led the New York Knicks with 33 points in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. He scored the decisive basket with over one second remaining on an offensive rebound putback that sealed the 107-106 victory.
Victor Wembanyama was called for a flagrant foul for an elbow to Karl-Anthony Towns with 9 minutes 40 seconds remaining in the third quarter at a critical moment when the Spurs led 81-52. This call marked the beginning of San Antonio's collapse as the Spurs failed to score for five minutes afterward.
Jalen Brunson delivered 36 points and 7 assists for the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. He gave the Knicks their first lead with 1 minute 22 remaining on a three-pointer over Victor Wembanyama.
Victor Wembanyama finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds for the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The 22-year-old French player started strong but struggled in the decisive third and fourth quarters as San Antonio's 29-point lead evaporated.
The San Antonio Spurs scored 76 points in the first half of Game 4 but managed only 30 points in the final two quarters. After shooting 14 of 26 from three-point range in the first half, the Spurs made only 3 of 17 three-pointers after halftime.
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 11, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. OG Anunoby scored the game-winning putback with just over one second remaining. The Knicks mounted a 29-point comeback from a deficit of 81-52 in the third quarter, the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.
Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 8, 2026, becoming the first sitting US president to attend an NBA Finals game. He watched from Knicks owner James Dolan's suite alongside his granddaughter Kai Trump, personal adviser Boris Epshteyn, and Cabinet secretaries Lee Zeldin, Sean Duffy, and Doug Burgum.
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the New York Knicks 115-111 in Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 8, 2026. The Spurs overcame a seven-point halftime deficit. The loss cut the Knicks' series lead in half, with Game 4 scheduled for June 10, 2026.
The New York Police Department and US Secret Service established a large security perimeter around Madison Square Garden for Trump's attendance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Security measures included TSA-style magnetometer screening at multiple checkpoints, restrictions on bags inside the arena, and closure of multiple city blocks. Watch parties outside the arena were canceled.
When Donald Trump was displayed on the jumbo screens at Madison Square Garden during the national anthem before Game 3 of the NBA Finals, he was booed loudly by the crowd. The boos occurred when Trump was shown giving a military salute from the suite. The jeers ended when the US flag appeared on screens.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated that Trump was welcome at the NBA Finals game and described him as a genuine Knicks fan. Silver emphasized that sports create common ground amid division and called for using sports to build community. He acknowledged some inconvenience to fans from security measures but noted the arena was packed.
After Game 3 of the NBA Finals on June 8, 2026, Trump told reporters that the crowd reaction was "mostly cheers" and described it as "loud and very enthusiastic," contradicting the widespread observation of loud boos when he was displayed on screens during the national anthem.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. His attendance required exceptional security measures, and he was booed by the crowd during the national anthem.
Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 32 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks in Game 3. The 22-year-old French player became the second-youngest player since Magic Johnson in 1980 to record at least 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in an NBA Finals game.
Stephon Castle made two critical free throws with 6 seconds remaining to secure the Spurs' 115-111 victory. The late-game execution came after both teams struggled with shooting, combining for only 3 of 23 three-pointers in the fourth quarter.
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the New York Knicks 115-111 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden. The victory reduced the Knicks' series lead to 2-1 after the Spurs had suffered two home losses in the first two games.
The Spurs' victory ended the Knicks' 13-game winning streak, which had extended since April 23 when the Knicks lost to Atlanta in the first round.
When President Trump was shown on the Jumbotron during the national anthem at Game 3 of the NBA Finals on June 9, 2026, the crowd at Madison Square Garden erupted in loud booing. Trump saluted the flag during the booing and appeared to smile in response.
President Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 9, 2026, to watch the New York Knicks play the San Antonio Spurs. Trump was the first sitting U.S. President to attend an NBA Finals game. He sat in Knicks owner Jim Dolan's box accompanied by administration officials including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Special Envoy Jared Kushner, and his granddaughter Kai Trump.
Brunson's 45-point Game 5 performance secured the Knicks' first championship in 56 years.
O'Neal concedes to Barkley on Brunson contract evaluation after championship run.
Brunson's 45-point Game 5 performance gave the Knicks their first championship in 56 years.
Chalamet attends Knicks celebrations; New York plans Canyon of Heroes parade.
Wembanyama scored 19 points and 14 rebounds in the Finals-clinching Game 5 loss, then did not shake hands with Knicks players.
Knicks defeat Spurs 4-1 to win first championship since 1970, with Brunson earning Finals MVP.
NYC police arrested protesters and responded to vandalism during Knicks championship celebrations.
Knicks win first championship in 56 years, with Brunson scoring 45 in clinching Game 5 victory.
Brunson's 45-point performance powers Knicks to first championship since 1970.
Knicks defeat Spurs 4-1 to win first championship since 1970, with Brunson named Finals MVP.
Wembanyama delivered impactful Finals performances in his first postseason run with the Spurs.
Knicks defeat Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 to win first championship since 1970.