Manhattan erupted in celebration on Saturday night as the New York Knicks secured their first NBA championship in 53 years, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the Finals. The victory, which came after a historic comeback from a 29-point deficit in the previous game, ended the longest title drought in franchise history.
Despite the World Cup being played simultaneously, with Brazil facing Morocco, the city was awash in Knicks memorabilia. Bars like John Doe’s on 28th and 5th were packed with fans wearing Jalen Brunson singlets and royal blue and orange T-shirts, eagerly awaiting the switch from football to basketball.
The Knicks trailed by 10 points after the first quarter and were still down by 15 late in the third. But star guard Jalen Brunson caught fire, scoring 15 of his 45 points in the final quarter. With just over three minutes remaining, Brunson put the Knicks ahead for the first time since the opening minutes.
The tension was excruciating in the final seconds, but London-born OG Anunoby extended the lead to four points with 7.7 seconds left, sealing the win. Pandemonium broke out in the bar and across Manhattan, with fans flooding the streets and the Empire State Building lit up in Knicks colours.
New York mayor Zohran Mamdani, who had been at MetLife Stadium for the World Cup, was greeted with subdued groans when he appeared on TV, but the city’s focus was firmly on the Knicks. The championship is the team’s first since 1973 and ends a 53-year wait for the franchise.
