Brunson's 45 Leads Knicks to First Title in 53 Years

Wembanyama finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. Rookie Dylan Harper had 25 points off the bench for San Antonio. The Spurs knocked out defending champion Oklahoma City in the West finals. They could not close out a series for the second straight round. "We weren't ready to win an NBA championship," Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. "The better team won."

The Knicks erased a 29-point deficit in Game 4, the biggest comeback in Finals history. Game 5 required another double-digit rally. Mikal Bridges scored 14 points. Josh Hart added 13 points and 11 rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns fouled out with two points but grabbed 10 boards, three steals and a block.

The championship ended a half-century drought for a franchise that last won in 1973 with Reed and Walt Frazier. Within moments of the final buzzer, the Empire State Building was lit in orange and blue. Celebrations erupted outside Madison Square Garden. A loud contingent of Knicks fans filled the Frost Bank Center, joined on the sideline by Prince Harry and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

The playoff run captivated New York. Tens of thousands of fans packed neighborhood watch parties across the city as the team inched toward its first title since Richard Nixon was president. The Knicks now turn toward free agency and the draft with a young core: Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, and Hart are all under 30. The franchise has a foundation that could keep them in contention for years. For one night, the city that waited 53 years finally celebrated.