Knicks 4-1: 53 years, Brunson 45, a 29-point Game 4
Knicks beat the Spurs 4-1, 3-13 June. Game 4: 107-106 from 29 down, OG Anunoby 1.2 seconds. Game 5: Brunson 45 on the road.
Knicks win series 4-1. Game 5: 94-90.
Why this one matters: 53 years is long enough that people in the building had never seen the last one. The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in June and the city remembered how to throw a parade.
The series, from Wikipedia and NBA.com: Game 1 Knicks 105-95 in San Antonio. Game 2 Knicks 105-104. Game 3 Spurs 115-111 at MSG. Game 4 Knicks 107-106, largest Finals comeback on record, 29 points, Anunoby tip-in with 1.2 seconds left. Game 5 Knicks 94-90 in San Antonio, Brunson 45, tying Michael Jordan for most points on the road in a series-clinching Finals game.
Mike Brown's Knicks. Mitch Johnson's Spurs, who had just beaten Oklahoma City 4-3 in the West. First Finals since 1995 in which a team won two straight road games to open. First since 1993 in which the road team won the first three.
The stakes
A city that had waited since 1973.
The rivalry angle
New York versus the Spurs' new era, Wembanyama's first Finals trip ending in five.
Players who could decide it
Finals MVP. 45 in the clincher.
Tip-in, 1.2 seconds, Game 4.
Did you know?
- !Brunson 45 in Game 5.
- !29-point comeback in Game 4, Anunoby 1.2s.
- !First Knicks title since 1973.
Sources
Every score and ranking on this page is locked to a named source. If it is not here, it is not on the page.