The New York Knicks are NBA champions for the first time since 1973, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals. The victory, sealed late Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, ended a 54-year title drought and sparked immediate celebration that devolved into chaos across Manhattan.
Hundreds of fans skirmished with police along 42nd Street into early Sunday, hurling bottles and attempting to tip over a school bus. The NYPD reported four people shot or stabbed, ten officers attacked, and 63 arrests during the mayhem.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 27 points and 8 assists in the clincher, while Julius Randle added 18 points and 12 rebounds. The series victory gives New York its first championship under owner James Dolan, who took control in 1999.
Looking ahead, Boston opens as the Eastern Conference favorite for the 2027 title at DraftKings, with New York trailing three teams in the early odds. The Knicks face the challenge of retaining key free agents as they aim to defend their crown.
"I apologize to the fans for taking so long," Dolan said after the game, acknowledging the decades of frustration. Critics note the owner's history of mismanagement before this title run, leaving questions about sustainability.