The victory sealed a 4-1 series triumph for New York and capped a postseason marked by repeated comeback victories. Facing another significant deficit, the Knicks erased a 16-point gap before pulling ahead late behind Brunson’s fourth-quarter scoring surge.

Brunson finished with 45 points and was named NBA Finals MVP following a performance that helped secure one of the most significant achievements in franchise history. His scoring total established a new Knicks record for points in an NBA Finals game.

“It’s everything I ever dreamed of,” Brunson said during the on-court celebration.

Another Comeback Defines New York’s Championship Run

The Knicks built their championship campaign around resilience, and Game 5 followed a familiar script.

San Antonio controlled much of the early action and opened a double-digit advantage during the first quarter. The Spurs later extended the margin to 16 points in the second period while New York struggled offensively.

The Knicks missed 16 of their first 18 field-goal attempts and failed to convert any of their first 11 two-point shots. Despite the difficult start, New York gradually reduced the deficit with a strong second-quarter response and remained within striking distance at halftime.

A 22-9 run before the break helped shift momentum, although San Antonio still carried a 42-37 lead into the locker room.

Brunson Takes Control in the Fourth Quarter

With the championship within reach, Brunson delivered the decisive stretch.

The All-Star guard scored 13 consecutive points for New York during the fourth quarter, helping the Knicks overcome the remaining deficit and move ahead late in the contest.

Mikal Bridges added 14 points, while Josh Hart contributed 13 as New York’s core group provided key support around Brunson.

“I don’t know what I’m feeling,” Brunson said afterward. “I’m in awe. Whenever someone counted us out, we found a way to come back and do something about it.”

Knicks coach Mike Brown, who completed his first season with the franchise, described the achievement as difficult to fully process.

“It’s surreal,” Brown said. “I still can’t believe it’s happened.”

Spurs Fall Short Despite Strong Effort

San Antonio received notable contributions from several key players but was unable to hold off New York’s late charge.

Dylan Harper led the Spurs with 25 points, while Victor Wembanyama recorded 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots.

Wembanyama acknowledged the disappointment while emphasizing the experience gained from the Finals appearance.

“This is the biggest lesson of my life, the biggest learning moment,” he said. “I can’t tell exactly what the lesson is, but we’re learning.”

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson credited New York’s performance after the series concluded.

“We weren’t ready to win an NBA championship,” Johnson said. “The better team won.”

Historic Celebration for New York

The championship ends a 53-year title drought for the Knicks and delivers one of the franchise’s most memorable accomplishments.

Thousands of New York supporters traveled to Texas to witness the deciding game, while celebrations erupted throughout New York City after the final buzzer.

The title also completed an extraordinary postseason journey for a team that repeatedly recovered from large deficits throughout the Finals. Just days earlier, New York had produced a historic comeback victory in Game 4 before finishing the series in Game 5.

For Brunson, who joined the Knicks four years ago and helped transform the organization into a championship contender, the victory represented the culmination of a long-held goal.

“It’s why I came to New York,” he said.

Tags: New York Knicks. Jalen Brunson. NBA Finals. NBA Championship. San Antonio Spurs. NBA Playoffs. Finals MVP. Victor Wembanyama. Mike Brown. Basketball News. New York Sports. NBA 2026 Season.

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The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA champions — and they did it in dramatic fashion.

In a wild Game 7 that swung on a devastating early injury and a second-half surge, the Thunder pulled away from the Indiana Pacers, 103-91, on Sunday night to win their first NBA title since relocating from Seattle in 2008. At the center of it all was MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who capped off a historic season with one more electrifying performance — and a Finals MVP trophy to show for it.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Seals It with a Signature Night

With the Thunder’s offense sputtering early and the Pacers’ defense smothering most of the floor, Gilgeous-Alexander carried the load — just like he has all year. He dropped 16 points in the first half, keeping Oklahoma City within striking distance as Indiana took a slim 48–47 lead into the break.

But the second half belonged to OKC — and SGA never took his foot off the gas.

The league MVP finished with 29 points, 12 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal in a commanding performance that left little doubt about who was the best player on the floor — or the series.

“It doesn’t feel real,” Gilgeous-Alexander told ESPN. “So many hours. So many moments. So many emotions… This group worked for it. And we deserve this.”

Haliburton Goes Down, and the Pacers Lose Their Spark

Game 7 took a brutal turn early when Indiana’s All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton went down with a non-contact leg injury late in the first quarter. He had just knocked down three early three-pointers and was off to a blazing start with 9 points before collapsing to the floor.

Teammates and medical staff helped him off the court — he couldn’t put any weight on his right leg. His father later confirmed to ESPN that Tyrese had suffered an Achilles injury. While the full extent isn’t yet confirmed, it could sideline him for most — or all — of the 2025–26 season.

The injury left the Pacers emotionally rattled, but to their credit, they didn’t fold. They went into halftime with a narrow lead and kept fighting well into the fourth.

Thunder Defense Turns the Tide

The turning point came in the third quarter. Oklahoma City’s signature swarming defense — the engine of their 68-win season — went into overdrive.

They outscored Indiana 34–20 in the third, flipping a one-point deficit into a 13-point lead heading into the final frame. By then, the Thunder were rolling — and the crowd could sense history.

The numbers tell the story:

• Turnovers: OKC forced 21 while committing just 7
• Steals: 14 total, with 3 each from Alex Caruso, Luguentz Dort, and Cason Wallace
• Points off turnovers: 32–10 in favor of the Thunder

And when the offense caught up? That was it.

Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, quiet in the first half, both came alive. Williams finished with 20 points and 4 assists, while Holmgren added 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks to lock down the paint.

Pacers Run Out of Gas

Even without Haliburton, Indiana didn’t quit. They trimmed the Thunder’s 22-point lead down to 10 in the fourth behind a heroic effort from Bennedict Mathurin, who posted 24 points and 13 boards off the bench.

Pascal Siakam (16 points), Andrew Nembhard (15 points, 6 rebounds), and T.J. McConnell (16 points) all had their moments. But the magic that carried Indiana through improbable comebacks in earlier playoff rounds just wasn’t enough this time — not without their engine.

Their fairytale run ends in heartbreak, but the gutsy Game 7 effort underscored how far this Pacers squad has come.

A New Era Begins in Oklahoma City

The final buzzer wasn’t just the end of a game — it marked a new chapter in Thunder history.

After years of rebuilding, betting on youth, and trusting the process, Oklahoma City now has its banner moment. It’s the first major professional sports championship in the city’s history — and it feels like only the beginning for a team led by a 26-year-old MVP and a deep, disciplined roster.

Oklahoma City fans have waited a long time. Now, the trophy is theirs.

Final Score: Thunder 103, Pacers 91
2025 NBA Champions: Oklahoma City Thunder
Finals MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Source: Yahoo Sports – NBA Finals Game 7: Thunder beat Pacers for NBA title behind big game from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after injury to Tyrese Haliburton

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