The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 to close out the series 4-1 and claim their first NBA championship since 1973, sparking celebrations across New York City.
Finals MVP Jalen Brunson scored 45 points to secure the title in Texas, just days after his team completed one of the greatest comebacks in NBA Finals history.
Trailing by 16 points at one stage and nine early in the final quarter, the Knicks fought back to win with Brunson leading the charge.
"I'm in awe. Whenever someone counted us out, we found a way to come back and do something about it," Brunson told reporters as he tried to hold back tears.
The Knicks tied the game with just under five minutes remaining and took their first lead with 3:40 left on the clock.
The Spurs were unable to regain the lead after that, and the Knicks capped a dominant championship run in which they lost just three games throughout the postseason.
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama recorded 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots for the young San Antonio side, who will hope to return to the Finals for many years to come.
"This is the biggest lesson of my life, the biggest learning moment," the 22-year-old Frenchman told reporters after the game.
Some Knicks fans have waited their entire lives for this moment after decades of disappointment.
Watch parties across New York City erupted in celebration when the final buzzer sounded, ending a 53-year wait for an NBA championship.
Thousands of people took to the streets of Midtown Manhattan and Times Square, celebrating long into the night.
U.S. President Donald Trump also congratulated Brunson and the team.
"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," he wrote on Truth Social.
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