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Jalen Brunson Scores 45, Knicks Clinch NBA Title

6/18/2026

27 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Jalen Brunson scored 45 points as the Knicks beat the Spurs 94-90 on June 13, 2026, clinching the NBA title.
Jalen Brunson hugged Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, embraced his father Rick Brunson and wife Dr. Ali Marks Brunson, and threw a ceremonial first pitch with Josh Hart at Yankee Stadium, earning a standing ovation.
A ticker-tape parade will start at 10 a.m. Thursday at Battery Park and end at City Hall.

History

Historical Context

In May 1973 the New York Knicks beat the Los Angeles Lakers 102–93 in Game 5, clinching a 4-1 NBA Finals win as the nation grappled with Watergate hearings and the first oil crisis. Their 2026 title, sparked by Jalen Brunson’s 45-point game, revives Madison Square Garden’s storied legacy and signals a new era for New York basketball.

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Story summary

Jalen Brunson scored 45 points as the Knicks beat the Spurs 94-90 on June 13, 2026, clinching the NBA title.
Jalen Brunson hugged Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, embraced his father Rick Brunson and wife Dr. Ali Marks Brunson, and threw a ceremonial first pitch with Josh Hart at Yankee Stadium, earning a standing ovation.
A ticker-tape parade will start at 10 a.m. Thursday at Battery Park and end at City Hall.

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