Knicks End 53-Year Title Drought Behind Brunson's 45-Point Night

LOS ANGELES – The New York Knicks won their first NBA championship in 53 years Saturday, beating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 behind Jalen Brunson's 45 points.

Brunson shot 17 of 28 from the floor and added six assists in the decisive Game 7. The Spurs, who led by 12 points early in the fourth quarter, could not close out a series that saw the Knicks rally from a 3-1 deficit.

"We just kept believing," Brunson said after the game. "The group never wavered."

New York's last title came in 1973. The franchise had not reached the Finals since 1999. Saturday's win ends the longest active championship drought among original NBA franchises.

Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocks. The Spurs, who won their last title in 2014, now face an offseason of roster decisions around their young core.

Game 7 drew an estimated 28 million viewers on ABC, the network said.