After an incredible 29-point comeback in Game 4, followed by a Game 5 win on Saturday, the New York Knicks had every reason to celebrate after defeating the San Antonio Spurs to secure their first championship in 53 years.
Amidst a memorable night for New York, U.S. President Donald Trump shared his reaction to the Knicks creating history at the Frost Bank Center.
Donald Trump Reacts to Knicks’ Epic NBA Finals Comeback Win
The 2026 NBA Finals proved that championships are defined by how teams finish, not how they start. The Knicks embodied that idea by securing four comeback wins on their way to the title.
The Knicks spent much of the series trailing. According to Elias Sports Bureau, New York led for just 23.6% of the series, by far the lowest percentage of time spent in front by an NBA champion since tracking began in 1971.
Trump, who had attended New York’s Game 3 at Madison Square Garden earlier this week, acknowledged the Knicks’ incredible postseason run.
“Congratulations to Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks!!! What a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four – Maybe the greatest in the history of basketball,” Trump posted.
Trump: “Tonight, a superstar was born. His name is Jalen Brunson” pic.twitter.com/yKwVJIB2WU
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) June 14, 2026
Trump also singled out Knicks star Jalen Brunson, whose historic performance helped deliver the championship.
“Also, tonight, a superstar was born. His name is Jalen Brunson, and there are others, including, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and great Patriot, Mitchell Robinson! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Knicks fans are set to celebrate their first NBA championship since 1973, ending what had been an agonizing wait for New York City.
New York entered the Finals riding an 11-game playoff winning streak after beating both the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and Finals.
For the first time since 1973, the Knicks are NBA CHAMPIONS 🏆
The 53-year gap between championships is the longest in NBA history!
The wait is over, @nyknicks 👏 pic.twitter.com/mnLctoExSK
— NBA (@NBA) June 14, 2026
They extended that streak to 13 games by winning the first two contests on the road against the Spurs.
Brunson put together a legendary outing, scoring 45 points to carry New York’s offense in Game 5 against San Antonio. His 39th point surpassed the franchise’s previous Finals scoring record of 38 points, set by Willis Reed in Game 3 of the 1970 Finals.
He finished the game shooting 14-of-27 from the field and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc while adding 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
On his way to earning Finals MVP honors, Brunson became just the fourth player in league history to score at least 45 points in a title-clinching Finals win, joining Bob Pettit (50 vs. Boston in Game 6 of the 1958 Finals), Giannis Antetokounmpo (50 vs. Phoenix in Game 6 of the 2021 Finals), and Michael Jordan (45 points vs. Utah in Game 6 of the 1998 Finals).
