The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 to win the 2026 NBA Championship, with Jalen Brunson capturing Finals MVP honors. On The Bill Simmons Podcast, Zach Lowe celebrated the historic victory, noting that the title finally "ends the 53-year drought" and declaring their playoff run "an absolute bulldozer" on par with the greatest teams in NBA history. Comedian Andrew Schulz echoed the relief on Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh, shouting, "The Knicks, after 53 years, are NBA champions."
The subsequent victory parade shut down Lower Manhattan, drawing massive, rowdy crowds. Shae Cornette of First Take hosted live coverage of the team "celebrating their championship parade" with Mitchell Robinson and Jose Alvarado on floats, while Monica McNutt paraded "facing all the fans, showing it off" with the Larry O'Brien Trophy. On The Bill Simmons Podcast, Anthony Dabbundo observed that "by 9:00, you can tell people are already drunk" in what became a massive party. Veteran reporter Howard Beck joined The Ringer NBA Show to emphasize the unique culture of New York hoops, noting that "it just hits different" when the Knicks win it all.
Looking back at the series tactics, Stephen A. Smith explained on First Take that the Knicks intentionally pushed the pace "solely to make him run, to wear him down", referring to the Spurs' star. That relentless pressure gave analysts like Rob Mahoney supreme confidence; during Game 5, Mahoney told The Ringer NBA Show listeners that even during cold shooting stretches, "the comeback is inevitable". On The Breakfast Club, DJ Envy recalled how doubters "said the Spurs were gonna win", but Knicks guard Jose Alvarado countered that "If you was on the Knicks and you won regardless where you from is amazing".
With the championship secured, the team is currently "on a press run like no other", as Lauren LaRosa reported on The Breakfast Club. While rival fans like Anthony Dabbundo are already declaring, "now I'm back to disliking the Knicks again", Peter Schrager of The Pat McAfee Show insisted the achievement will live on, telling fans that "it is forever" and always gonna be in your heart.