Photo: New York Knicks/Facebook

By Rafael Bandayrel

For the first time in 53 years, the New York Knicks are NBA champions once again.

The Knicks completed another remarkable comeback on Sunday morning (PH time), defeating the San Antonio Spurs, 94-90, in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center to capture the Larry O'Brien Trophy and end one of the longest championship droughts in NBA history.

Trailing late in the fourth quarter, New York once again turned to Jalen Brunson. The star guard sliced through the Spurs' defense for a layup, then knocked down two free throws to cut the deficit to just two.

With less than five minutes remaining, Brunson attacked the basket once more to cap New York's 10-point surge and tie the game at 83-all.

Devin Vassell briefly restored San Antonio's lead with a mid-range jumper, but Brunson answered again. After drawing a foul on a three-point attempt, he calmly sank his free throws to give the Knicks their first lead since the opening minutes.

Moments later, OG Anunoby drove to the rim and appeared to miss a dunk, but Victor Wembanyama was whistled for goaltending, extending New York's advantage to two.

The Spurs continued to fight back. Wembanyama drew Karl-Anthony Towns' sixth foul but converted only one free throw. Filipino-American guard Dylan Harper later tied the contest at 88, only for Brunson to respond immediately with another clutch basket.

Harper had a chance to level the score again in the closing seconds but missed a layup. Josh Hart and Anunoby then helped create breathing room by splitting trips to the free-throw line.

Stephon Castle kept San Antonio alive with a putback basket, trimming the deficit to two. However, Mikal Bridges split a pair of free throws to push the lead to three with 8.8 seconds left.

The Spurs still had one final opportunity, but Harper was intentionally fouled before he could attempt a game-tying three-pointer. The rookie missed both free throws, and Anunoby sealed the championship with a free throw on the other end.

Brunson delivered a legendary performance in the title-clinching victory, erupting for 45 points—the most ever scored by a Knicks player in an NBA Finals game.

Harper led San Antonio with 25 points and five rebounds, while Wembanyama recorded 19 points and 14 rebounds in defeat.

The victory caps a dream season for New York and brings the NBA championship back to Madison Square Garden for the first time since 1973.