The New York Knicks claimed their third National Basketball Association title – their first since 1973 – with another come-from-behind win over the San Antonio Spurs, 94-90, in Game 5 of their best-of-seven Finals series on Saturday.
Brunson slays Wemby, Spurs
Jalen Brunson scored 45 points to lead the Knicks to another successful fourth-quarter fightback, the team’s calling card in the Finals.
New York, which produced the greatest comeback in Finals history by recovering from a 29-point deficit to edge the Spurs in Game 4, trailed by 16 in the second period and 10 in the fourth quarter before pulling off another signature win, prompting the Empire State Building to light up in the team’s orange and blue.
The Knicks gained revenge for their 1999 championship defeat to the Spurs, winning the series 4-1.
Brunson gave the Knicks their first taste of the lead at 86-85 after making all three free throws with 3:40 left to play.
Game 4 hero OG Anunoby drove for a dunk that made it 88-85, and after the Spurs knotted it at 88-88, Brunson put New York back in front with a driving basket, and the Knicks held on.
The win marked the final chapter of a dramatic playoff run that had captivated New York, with tens of thousands of long-suffering fans packing neighbourhood watch parties throughout the Big Apple as the team inched towards a first title in more than half a century.
Mikal Bridges scored 14 points, and Josh Hart added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns scored just two points before fouling out in the fourth quarter, but pulled down 10 rebounds and came up with three steals and a blocked shot.
French star Wembanyama scored 19 points, pulled down 14 rebounds, and blocked five shots, and rookie Dylan Harper scored 25 points off the bench for San Antonio.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: PBA news: Tropang 5G level series at 2-2 in Game 4
Knicks overshadow World Cup festivities
The FIFA World Cup came to New York on Saturday only to be overshadowed by the Knicks, who erased 53 years of misery with their third title.
Five-time World Cup champions Brazil were at nearby New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, and everyone who expected fireworks from the powerhouse soccer squad was disappointed as Morocco forced a 1-1 draw after the final whistle sounded.
Hours later, the Knicks brought smiles to every New Yorker as the fans erupted in celebration, letting off fireworks and a cacophony of cheers and car horns reverberating around the city.
“Knicks in five!” chanted crowds after the hometown basketball dynasty sealed the seven-match series in five.
“It’s been so long, it’s been such a long time coming, you know?” said Stephen Maltz, a 31-year-old airline pilot, who tore off his signature orange and blue Knicks T-shirt and ran down the street in celebration.
“And it’s just in a time where the city needs to have something to get stoked about, it’s got to be this,” he added.
“Everyone could unite over the New York Knicks, and that’s what we’re doing right now,” a power plant worker said.
“There’s no other feeling like New York basketball.”
In an industrial section of Brooklyn, the manager of an indoor five-a-side arena said ahead of the Knicks’ win that “obviously the Knicks, as they should, are over-shining” the World Cup.
“Basketball is so beloved in the city of New York,” a 24-year-old man explained.
“I’ve not really seen a lot (of World Cup fever). I’ve seen a few fellow Scots but we’re not seeing a big buzz for it yet,” said a 29-year-old communications manager at a Scottish football club who wore both a Knicks hat and his full national strip.
There were signs that businesses were expecting a delayed onset of football mania.
“I do think it’s going to get hectic and crazy without a doubt, and especially at this pub, because we’re a football pub,” said a Brooklyn-based pub owner.
READ MORE: Philippine authorities probe death of two Ateneo basketball players
Bedlam on Broadway
The victory brought exuberant celebrations, marred by mayhem and violence on Broadway, as tens of thousands of people filled the streets.
The rowdiest among them were clashing with police, smashing windshields, scaling scaffolding, light poles, and a statue, climbing into and atop school buses in Times Square, and attempting to hitch a ride on a moving fire truck.
Four people were stabbed, and one of the school buses, which was being used for World Cup transportation, was set on fire, police said.
Other buses and five police cars were also damaged.
In total, 63 people were arrested, facing charges including assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct.
Knicks owner James Dolan, speaking in San Antonio after the game, urged fans to remain calm.
“We need to tell everybody in New York that we know that they’re celebrating, we want them to have a great time,” said Dolan, interrupting guard Josh Hart’s news conference.
“Please be safe. Don’t get hurt, don’t hurt anybody.”
The city will officially celebrate the Knicks on Thursday with a parade and City Hall ceremony.
Wemby admits he was not ready for the moment
French phenomenon Victor Wembanyama admitted that he and his team were not ready for the big stage and secured his first ring, saying the Spurs were inexperienced and overwhelmed by the New York Knicks.
The seven-foot-four sensation humbly accepted defeat but blamed himself for the lapses he made during the series.
He hailed his teammates for their desire to win the championship, but pointed out that they were not ready for what New York brought in the five-game classic.
Despite beating the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Spurs were stunned by the Knicks’ resiliency, which led to game-deciding mistakes.
That included a shocking turnover by Wembanyama late in game two and his flagrant foul in game four, which only energized the Knicks, who erased a 29-point deficit to win.
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year was dominant early in Saturday’s must-win game but was helpless to stop the Spurs from surrendering another double-digit lead in the final quarter.
Wembanyama will have the entire offseason to reflect on the pain of losing, strengthen himself, and make another run at the playoffs next season.
READ NEXT: Unpacking the music of the World Cup 2026 opening ceremonies
Eleni Poulios 
Rosemarie Zamora 
Hazel Camba