The New York Knicks won the 2026 NBA championship, ending a 53-year wait for the city. Behind Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, the team shook off a shaky start in the first round of the Eastern Conference before finishing its title campaign with a 15-1 stretch.
As impressive as it was seeing the Knicks close out the playoffs for their historic championship, a team insider claims luck played a key role in their run.
Knicks Insider Delivers Harsh Verdict on New York’s Historic Run
New York struggled early in the series against the Atlanta Hawks before composing themselves to mount an impressive run. After trailing 1-2 in the series, the Knicks didn’t lose again until Game 3 of the NBA Finals when President Donald Trump was in the building.
The Knicks entered the championship round against the San Antonio Spurs as underdogs but quickly showed they were ready for the task. They stole both Games 1 and 2 on the road to underline their intent. Behind Brunson, they ended the Spurs’ misery with another pulsating win in San Antonio.
Despite their spectacular run, Knicks insider Marc Bearman wasn’t that impressed.
“I wouldn’t say they’re a great team. I think they did get a lot of luck… but listen, I thought if they played Oklahoma City, and I tweeted this during the Oklahoma City-San Antonio series, I tweeted ‘Knicks fans need to be rooting for San Antonio. It’s a much better matchup.’ I think OKC may have taken them,” Bearman said on Sunday’s New York Post Sports.
“So they got lucky there. They got Philadelphia coming off their grueling seven-game series. They got the Cavaliers off a grueling seven-game series. So they got the matchups they wanted. They didn’t have to face the Celtics, who would have a lot of revenge on their minds, but listen, you can’t take anything away from the magic.
After beating the Hawks 4-2, the Knicks faced the Philadelphia 76ers, who finished the Boston Celtics in seven games. In the Conference Finals, New York took on the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that went through a punishing seven-game series against the Detroit Pistons.
In the Finals, the Knicks battled the Spurs, who dethroned the Oklahoma City Thunder in another grueling, emotionally draining series.
When asked if a repeat is on the table, the insider responded without any hesitation.
“They’re [not] going to be able to repeat this magic.”
The Knicks are already facing challenges for their title-retention bid. They lost backup center Mitchell Robinson to the rival Boston Celtics.
New York’s refusal to enter the second apron could be its downfall.
KEEP READING: Draymond Green Reveals Warriors’ Bold Game Plan if They Land LeBron James
The Eastern Conference landscape has already changed nearly three weeks into free agency. Giannis Antetokounmpo took his talents to South Beach to team up with Bam Adebayo. The 76ers acquired Jaylen Brown in a stunning trade with the Celtics. Cleveland is retooling to put on a much better show for next season.
LeBron James potentially joining either of those teams could push one contender into championship favorite territory.
Regardless of how the postseason plays out, Bearman is convinced the Knicks aren’t defending their championship.
