After 53 years of waiting, the New York Knicks are NBA Champions once again. For the first time since 1973, they’ve climbed the mountain top. They defeated Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs 4-1. As most people, like myself, believed this would be a 6-7 game war. Despite the Finals only going five games, this was as hard-fought a series as any this entire postseason. Let’s dive into how the Knicks got over the hump.
Knicks Win NBA Finals 4-1
When the Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, they were on the most dominant postseason run in NBA history. From coming back from down 24 with eight minutes left to winning series-clinching games by 51 points, being on “a heater” doesn’t come close to what this team was on.
This series was one of the most coin-flip Finals in a long time, on paper. The Spurs would jump out to double-digit leads in all five games and appeared to have a firm grasp on the Knicks. What happened in the second half of these games is nothing short of a young team showing its age, and a veteran team knowing when to turn it on.
Even down 29 points in a pivotal Game 4, there was no fear or doubt in the Knicks players. I don’t remember a time when I saw a team with almost as much confidence down double digits as they were when they had a lead. After the historic 29-point comeback, New York found itself in a 16-point hole in the first half last night. With many of their heroes playing subpar on the offensive end, Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby, one man would not be denied last night.
Jalen Brunson’s Heroics
In a game where the Knicks were struggling offensively, Jalen Brunson said, “It is I who would step up and carry the workload offensively. Scoring 45 points in a closeout game is something of a legend. There have only been three players prior to last night that had that level of scoring production in a closeout game: Michael Jordan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bob Pettit, and now Jalen Brunson.
For your team to score 94 points for the entire game, and you have 45 of them, that’s the definition of putting the team on your back. From scoring 13-straight for the Knicks or taking the Defensive Player of the Year, Victor Wembanyama one-on-one, he was sensational. His efficiency is what takes this performance to the next level. JB shot 14/27 (51.9%) from the floor, 4/7 (57.1%) from downtown, and 13/15 (86.6%) from the free throw line.
His heroics in this series earned him Finals MVP, averaging 32.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, and 4.6 apg on 42/29/86 shooting splits. That 32.6 ppg is the highest scoring Finals series by a point guard in NBA History. It’s been glorious to watch his progression from an undersized backup guard with the Mavericks to one of the best players in the NBA.
Final Thoughts
There was no other ending to the 2026 NBA season that I would have rather had. This is a team and a city that has deserved a championship, and a team worthy of the grit and grind it takes to succeed in New York. Congratulations, New York Knicks, you are champions once again. What were your takeaways from the NBA Finals?
As always, thank you so much for checking out my thoughts on the New York Knicks winning the Finals for the first time since 1973! Be sure to check out our other amazing content here at New Leaf News! Thank you for making us part of your day, and look forward to seeing you again soon.
