New York Knicks win NBA championship for first time in over 50 years

New York Knicks win NBA championship for first time in over 50 years 13 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Sareen Habeshian Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks lifts the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five The New York Knicks won the National Basketball Association championship for the first time in over 50 years, sending the city and fans into a frenzy after the long-awaited victory. The Knicks clinched the title on Saturday night against the San Antonio Spurs, 94-90, in the fifth game of the best-of-seven series. While the game was in Texas, New Yorkers took to their hometown streets in droves to watch and celebrate the milestone moment for the team, its fans and the entire city. Geoff Burke-Pool Photo via Imagn Images New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) and San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) battle for the ball during game five. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots against San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) in the first half during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals in Texas. This season has represented a stunning reversal of fortune for the Knicks after decades as one of the worst teams in the league. The last time they made it all the way to the finals was in 1999, also against the Spurs, who ultimately beat them. Their last finals win was even earlier, in 1973. They held a 3-1 lead in the series heading into Saturday's game. "I grew up watching the Knicks. They were so bad for so long," said Jake Minicucci while sitting with his friends on the patio of a Manhattan sports bar "This might be the first time I cry in a very long time, tonight." Fans' anticipation before the game was like a champagne bottle about to pop its cork. "This city is electric," said Jake Minicucci while sitting with friends on the patio of a Manhattan sports bar. "I've never gotten so many head nods, everybody knowing we are in it for the Knicks together." The 50-plus year drought was very much on the minds of some Knicks fans including Daniel Brown who said the evening had the potential "to be one of the best nights in the history of this city." "I've lived here all my life, I've never experienced anything like this," said the 24-year-old. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton Fans react as they watch NBA Final game 5 on a phone along 42nd Street in Times Square, Ahead of the game, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a social media post that the city was working with the Knicks to host watch parties outside Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Wollman Rink. "As we celebrate, be responsible, look out for one another, stay safe, be smart, and make this a night that reflects the very best of our city," the mayor said. His call for safety came after a few instances of violence in New York City against Spurs fans, including one assault that landed a fan in the hospital and another in wh