New York Knicks Become NBA Champions After 50‑Year Drought

Sun Jun 14 2026 08:33:34 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Knicks beat Spurs 94‑90 in Game 5 of the Finals, ending a 53‑year title drought and sparking celebration citywide.

In a dramatic Game 5, the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94‑90 to claim their first NBA championship since 1973. The victory sent New Yorkers into a frenzy, with street celebrations in Times Square and across the city. Fans, officials, and players all underscored the historic nature of the win and the end of a long-standing championship curse.

New York Knicks become NBA champions after 53‑year drought

The New York Knicks sealed the NBA title in Game 5 of the 2026 Finals, beating the San Antonio Spurs 94‑90 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. With a 3‑1 series lead, the Knicks’ road victory carried the team to its first championship since the 1973 season.

Fans poured into New York streets after the final buzzer. Times Square lit up with flags and improvised celebrations, and the city echoed with cheers from fans sitting in watch‑party venues set up in front of Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Wollman Rink.

“I’ve been waiting for this, honestly most of my life. The last time the Knicks won, I was six months old, and I can’t describe how excited I am.” – Elizabeth Madigan

Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to remain calm and safe amid the celebrations, after a few reports of violence involving Spurs fans in the city. “Be responsible, look out for one another, stay safe, and make this a night that reflects the best of our city,” the mayor said on social media.

Ticketmaster issued a warning that tickets purchased from more than 150 mi away would be cancelled, but the platform clarified that no tickets had been canceled or would be undone. New York Governor Kathy Hochul commented, “Knicks fans finally get within one game of a championship and their reward is having their tickets canceled?”

The win was a momentous reversal for a franchise that had struggled for decades—the Knicks had last reached the Finals in 1999, again against the Spurs, and had never won since 1973.

With the championship finally back in New York, both players and international fans celebrated the momentous breakthrough for the Knicks and the city’s basketball legacy.