As soon as the confetti hit the ground in San Antonio last night, it was time to look ahead to a new set of NBA Championship odds.
And while the Spurs fell short in these NBA Finals, the NBA odds board has high hopes for Victor Wembanyama and the rest of this talented young core moving forward, listing San Antonio as a +250 favorite to win in 2027.
It remains a tight field, though, with three more teams listed with odds shorter than 7/1. We break it all down below.
Despite falling flat in this year's NBA Finals, it's easy to see that the San Antonio Spurs' best days are ahead of them.
The young core of Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle will surely improve, and the team has now gotten a glimpse of what is needed to win at the highest level. As +250 solo favorites, they won't be sneaking up on anyone this year.
Oklahoma City Thunder (+260)
Injuries to key contributors made the Oklahoma City Thunder's title defense much harder than it would have appeared during the season, and yet OKC managed to go up 2-1 and 3-2 over the Spurs before flaming out in the Western Conference Finals.
The core of back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren remains, and if J-Dub can get back to playing regularly, this team will flirt with 70 wins for a third straight regular season and be a threat to hoist the Larry O'Brien for a second time.
Jayson Tatum's late return from injury in time for a title run last season proved to be fool's gold, as the Boston Celtics blew a 3-1 lead to the 76ers in Round 1.
But with Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumours starting to swirl, not much has to happen for Boston to regain title contender status.
New York Knicks (+650)
Some may see the New York Knicks listed fourth and see that as disrespectful to the champs, but for as beloved as this team became over the last two months, the comeback magic can't be sustainable.
They were down double-digits in four of five Finals games, and a more experienced opponent would have been able to withstand New York's comeback runs, but if we've learned anything, it's that anything is possible when Jalen Brunson is on your side.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Feb 27, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; A general view of the Phoenix Suns logo on the court before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Itâs over. Officially, itâs over. The season ended 48 days ago for the Phoenix Suns, but now the league itself has reached the finish line as the NBA Finals have concluded.
So what does that mean? It means the transaction season can truly begin. It means conversations can turn into negotiations, negotiations can turn into agreements, and front offices around the league can begin executing their plans for the 2026-27 season.
Starting on Sunday, teams can begin negotiating with their own free agents and extension eligible players.
The first important date is June 29, the deadline for all team and player option decisions. The Suns have two players with team options, although Ryan Dunnâs option was exercised last October. That leaves Jamaree Bouyea, who is set to earn $2.6 million next season if Phoenix picks up his option. Should the Suns exercise it, they would still maintain flexibility. Bouyeaâs contract remains non-guaranteed until January 10, 2027, when it becomes fully guaranteed. But the decision on whether to pick up the option must be made by June 29.
The next key date is June 30. At 3:00 p.m. Arizona time, teams can begin negotiating with outside free agents. That said, the Suns can already begin having conversations with their own free agents now that the season has officially concluded.
There are four internal free agents worth monitoring.
Jordan Goodwin and Collin Gillespie are both eligible for new deals, with Phoenix holding Early Bird Rights on each player. Amir Coffey enters free agency as an unrestricted free agent with Non-Bird Rights attached. Then thereâs Mark Williams, a restricted free agent whose qualifying offer sits at $9.6 million. Phoenix possesses his Bird Rights, giving the organization flexibility in how it approaches negotiations.
Now that the Finals are over and weâre nine days away from the NBA Draft, those internal discussions can begin in earnest. The front office can start moving the ball forward as it prepares for next season.
The assumption is that retaining Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin will be among Phoenixâs top priorities this offseason. Both players became integral parts of the culture and identity the Suns worked to establish last season, and bringing them back would provide another layer of continuity moving forward.
Ok NBA Finals over let's talk Suns. I continue to expect Phoenix's top priorities this offseason to be retaining Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin. They can start talking today.
Weâll know soon enough whether common ground can be found and what those contracts ultimately look like. The offseason is officially here. The draft is around the corner. Free agency isnât far behind. And the Suns can finally begin laying the foundation for what comes next.
Stay tuned to Bright Side of the Sun all offseason long. Weâll be here breaking it all down, offering our opinions, overanalyzing every rumor, and doing what we always do this time of year, trying to figure out how to fix the Phoenix Suns.
Much has been made of where Jalen Brunson ranks in the pantheon of current NBA stars. References to his status as a â1Aâ player have been debated constantly over the past several years.Â
As the champagne dries and the cigar smoke clears in the road locker room in San Antonio on Sunday, Brunson has proven the doubters wrong. A 45-point masterpiece in the championship clincher was the end of a marvelous 16-3 playoff run for Brunson. The former second-round pick won NBA Finals MVP after leading the New York Knicks to a 4-1 NBA Finals win against the San Antonio Spurs. This is the franchiseâs first championship in 53 years.
Since his arrival in the 2022 offseason, Brunson has reinvigorated the Knicks. His original four-year, $104 million contract was thought to be an overpay. Itâs been everything but that.
From 2001 to 2022, New York won exactly one playoff series. It only took Brunson two years to eclipse that mark. New Yorkâs 2023 run was where the possibilities of a championship team began. The Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round but fell to the eventual Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in six games.
Hidden behind that painful loss was Brunsonâs elite performance. The guard averaged 31.0 points on 50.4 percent from the field and 6.3 assists against a frenetic Heat defense that threw zones, blitzes, and traps Brunsonâs way. However, it wasnât enough. Brunson had 41 points in the last game, but Julius Randle and RJ Barrett, New Yorkâs second and third scoring options respectively, struggled in the series closer, shooting a combined 4-for-24 from the field.
The right group
It was that point where the Knicks front office, led by Leon Rose, knew it had a special player. But the club had to figure out how to find the right mix of defense, perimeter shooting and secondary offensive creation around Brunson.Â
Soon came big bets from New York. Early in the following season, the Knicks dealt homegrown first-round picks Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors for OG Anunoby. Then came the 2024 offseason acquisitions of Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets and Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Knicks went all-in with these moves, famously handing over five first round picks for Bridges and dealing key cogs Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick, to land Towns.
Adding Anunoby and Bridges gave New York two very good corner three-point shooters, who, along with Josh Hart, created a three-headed monster of wings capable of guarding multiple positions. Towns was the second offensive option, a center who could create his own offense, but could also space the floor and create space for Brunson to operate.
After a loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2025, the final tweak came at head coach with the firing of Tom Thibodeau and the subsequent hiring of Mike Brown.Â
All of these moves have come with the intention of maximizing the Brunson window. New York also hit on smaller deals like adding Jose Alvarado and Landry Shamet over the last couple of years. They all paid off throughout this playoff run.Â
Offensive engine
Brunson is an offense unto himself, which leads to teams bending their defense to stop him. During this postseason, he averaged 1.09 points per possession in isolation according to NBA Stats, the second-highest number for any player that averaged at least 3.0 isolation possessions.
In these NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs tried everything to slow down the All-Star point guard. Much like that Miami team from a few years ago, there were full-court presses, traps and double teams. There was also 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama lurking by the basket on nearly every possession.
But this time, the teammates New York added around Brunson over the past couple of years were able to take advantage of the extended Spurs defense. Those same double teams created hockey assist opportunities. Shooters like Anunoby, Bridges and Landry Shamet all thrived from that. Anunobyâs game-winning tip-in in Game Four came off Brunson shooting as a double-team approached from the Spursâ Wembayama and DeâAaron Fox.
Brunson and the Knicksâ relationship has been built on trust. The Knicks have done everything to build a contender that fits around the point guard. And Brunson has sacrificed, signing a four-year, $156.5 million extension in 2024 instead of waiting for a projected five-year, $269 million deal in 2025, a $113 million difference.
With Brunson on the roster, the Knicks will always have a fighting chance. And the belief in the guard will make the team do whatever it takes to compete for more titles going forward.
TORONTO â For the native New Yorker inside the Yankees clubhouse, Saturday night was a little different for Anthony Volpe than the rest of his teammates.
The shortstop insists he always believed he would see the Knicks win a championship, though he also acknowledged that faith may have come in large part from his âchildhood delusional fandom.â
But as he watched Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night with his mom and sister, first at a restaurant and then back at the team hotel, it all became real as the Knicks broke their 53-year drought and beat the Spurs to become champions.
âUnbelievable,â Volpe said Sunday morning at Rogers Centre.
Mikal Bridges (l.) and Timothee Chalamet (r.) pose with a New York Post cover after the Knicksâ championship win on June 13, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Volpe, who was not even born yet the last time the Knicks had played in the NBA Finals, has enjoyed following along and going to games at the Garden as they went from the bottom of the barrel to legitimate contenders in recent years.
Meanwhile, Volpeâs teammates have had some fun with his Knicks fandom during this playoff run.
âI think Iâve maybe even been the funny mascot of the team, so everyoneâs enjoyed that,â Volpe said. âBut Iâve just been enjoying it and taking it all in.â
Aaron Boone said he was watching Game 5 Saturday night before somehow falling asleep with six minutes left. So he spent Sunday morning watching SportsCentre and catching up on all the clips from the championship celebration.
Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe. AP Photo/David DermerYankees manager Aaron Boone. AP Photo/Scott Marshall
âJust to see that team and the way they came together, the amazing run they went on in the postseason, that team will be immortalized,â Boone said. âJust excited for them and excited for a lot of people in New York that itâs been a long time coming.â
Like Volpe, Boone said he has gotten to know some of the Knicks in recent years, including Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, who threw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium before a 2024 game.
And while he said it was still too early in the season to let his mind fully wander to what it might be like if the Yankees can follow the Knicksâ cue and finish the job in the playoffs, Boone drew some takeaways from their run.
âItâs just a great example of a team thatâs certainly faced more than their share of adversity and questions and all that,â the manager said. âI think their mental toughness and championship mettle ended up winning the day and obviously getting them to the top of the mountain this year.
âFun to see that. Because each one of those guys, to varying degrees, went through rough moments, getting beat on at different points for different reasons. And they all persevered through it. Itâs not an easy thing to do. Thatâs why theyâre champions.â
The Lakers are once again dealing with LeBron James summer drama, which has become an annual tradition at this point. However, with James being an unrestricted free agent, this isnât an offseason where we can all just laugh at the passive aggressiveness.
Come the start of free agency, LeBron will no longer be a Laker and action from both sides will be required for him to return. Los Angeles has made it clear they want James back, but they arenât the only ones interested in having LeBron on their team next year.
On a recent episode of the âPat McAfee Show,â LeBronâs agent, Rich Paul, spoke about the interest teams across the league have shown ahead of free agency.
Despite rumors circulating, Rich Paul tells @PatMcAfeeshow that he hasn't had a conversation with LeBron James about next season, but has received calls from "about 10-12 teams" interested đ
"Believe nothing that's out there because I haven't had one conversation with him." pic.twitter.com/drtwegSNhC
Now, always take what an agent says with a grain of salt. Even McAfee acknowledged that itâs in Paulâs best interest to go with a high number for interested teams as it makes things sound better for his client. Still, whether itâs 10, 12 or a few teams interested in LeBron, he is a wanted player.
This offseason, the unrestricted free agent market is very weak. Given that LeBron is coming off a season where he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists, the list of players who can do that consistently in the NBA is small, making him clearly one of the best available options this offseason.
So, it seems we will likely hear of other teams during the coming weeks, but again, itâs all part of the negotiating tactics that happen during the NBA offseason.
Perhaps this time, LeBron will leave, but he and the Lakers have always figured out how to stay together and have been united for longer than any other franchise has been with James in a single stint.
Teams will be interested and with James no longer LAâs top priority, things can get tricky. But hearing a bunch of teams calling from an agent is no reason for fans to press the panic button.
New York Knicks owner James Dolan celebrates with his team after becoming the 2026 NBA Finals Champions.
City officials revealed new details Sunday about what could be the biggest parade in Big Apple history â the ticker-tape extravaganza for the NBA champion Knicks.
The hometown hoopster heroes will get a much-deserved victory parade up the Canyon of Heroes on Thursday morning after winning the finals against the San Antonio Spurs in five games.
It was the teamâs first title since 1973.
New York Knicks owner James Dolan celebrates with his team after becoming the 2026 NBA Finals Champions. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
âIt will be a tremendous turnout,â predicted a retired NYPD supervisor who worked the mind-blowing New York Rangers and Yankees parades after they won national titles in the 1990s.
âDonât forget, the Knicks have no competitionâ when it comes to the teamâs famed legion of diehard longtime basketball fans, the source said.
âThe Yankees had the Mets. The Giants had the Jets. The Rangers had the Devils and the Islanders â everyone is a Knick fan.â
The parade will kick off at Battery Park at 10 a.m. and proceed north on Broadway â a k a the Canyon of Heroes â and wind up at City Hall for a celebration hosted by the mayor.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the Knicksâ historic run âincredible.â Tomas E. Gaston for NY Post
One wrinkle is that some state high-school Regents exams appear to be scheduled the same day, which means many teen Knicks fans could be forced to be indoors taking their exams rather than cheering on their beloved championship team in the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Big Apple ticker-tape parades have historically been reserved for the biggest celebrations in the city, from the World War II victory parades to New York Yankeesâ World Series wins.
Now itâs the Knicks turn.
âI think Iâll take the day off to go,â lifelong Knicks fan Andy Yu said of the upcoming parade. âIâll just scream my lungs out during the parade when the bus [of players] goes past and seeing the trophy in person. It will be pretty special.â
Queens resident Victor Abreau said heâll also play hooky.
âIâm calling out from work,â he said. âWe are going to the parade, and weâre going to enjoy watching our city finally be part of the world championship. New York is finally back on top.â
Officials have not said how many are people expected to attend, but the largest estimated crowd for past parades was nearly 5 million for the 1991 welcome celebration for returning Gulf War troops.
Other Big Apple parades â including for the Apollo 11 astronauts in 1969, astronaut John Glenn in 1962, Gen. Douglas MacArthur after his dismissal by Harry Truman in 1951 and Charles Lindbergh in 1927 after his famed flight â drew around 4 million people a pop.
A second veteran police source told The Post that there shouldnât be the kind of unruly mobs at the parade like the ones that rocked the city after Saturdayâs win.
âParades are normally not subject to riots because they are early in the morning before people have a chance to drink,â the source said. âThe problems come on the night the teams clinch, after several hours partying and the teams just won.
âHowever, in the world of social media, who knows what will happen Thursday.â
Mayor Zohran Mamdani told The Post on Sunday that the Knicksâ clinching the title Saturday âwas incredible,â
âI mean, itâs hard to believe it was real, but itâs beautify to wake up to know, yes, it was, and weâre the champions,â he said.
Hizzoner said more details about the parade will be released in the next few days.
âWhat does the Knicks win mean for New York? Itâs a time of celebration. I have joined the fever,ââ said Archbishop of New York Ronald Hicks.
âI watched all the games, especially [Saturday] night until the very end, and was celebrating with everyone,â Hicks said. âWay to go Knicks!â
As the clock ran out in Game 5 and the Knicks sealed the 94-90 win for their third championship in franchise history, Murray gave a rousing radio call.
âItâs happening, Knicks fans! Itâs happening! Itâs been 53 years, but for this moment, it was well worth the wait. A playoff run that will go down in history and a team that will live forever. Next stop, the Canyon of Heroes! The New York Knicks are NBA champions!â
The Knicks radio announcers reacting to the final moments of Game 5, as Dylan Harper misses both free throws, OG Anunoby splits the clutch free throws, and the New York Knicks win a championship for the first time in 53 years pic.twitter.com/IiGdlUNXKG
OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks smiles after winning the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NBAE via Getty Images
Murray became the radio voice of the Knicks last season after spending two years with the Worcester Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. He became the 13th former full-time PawSox/WooSox broadcaster currently working in MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
Before his time in Worcester, Murray was the lead broadcaster for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, for six years. He began his broadcasting career with the Daytona Cubs in 2012 after graduating from Boston University in 2011.
In just his second season in the Knicks booth, Murray called an incredible run to the championship that captivated the city. After being hired by MSG Networks, Murray shared his emotions surrounding his new role.
Knicks radio play-by-play voice Tyler Murray (second from l.) and analyst Monica McNutt (second from r.) Instagram/ESPN New York
âIâve dreamed of calling Knicks games for as long as I can remember, so my family and I couldnât be more excited,â Murray said.
âItâs an honor to join MSG Networks, and to represent everyone who has lifted me up along the way.â
His fulfilled dream just got that much sweeter with a championship call. The Knicks will make their next stop at the Canyon of Heroes for their championship parade Thursday.
KLAIPEDA, LITHUANIA - NOVEMBER 30: Luigi Suigo of Italy looks on during the FIBA World Cup Group D Qualifier between Lithuania and Italy at Svyturio Arena on November 30, 2025 in Klaipeda, Lithuania. (Photo by Rokas Lukosevicius/FIBA via Getty Images) | FIBA via Getty Images
In an interview with Italian journalist lacopo De Santis of Pianeta Basket, Luigi Suigo broke down why he decided to withdraw from the NBA Draft, as well as his choice in playing for Villanova in 2026-27.
On his NBA Draft process:
âWe started this season at Mega Basket in Serbia thinking we could be very well prepared for this draft. Unfortunately, two or three days before the Combine, I pulled a sprained ankle in practice. I lost some form. I wasnât able to do the Combine drills, which I think would have helped me improve my picks or my rating. I tried to get back in shape. I came back from Boston this morning. I was in Los Angeles, where my agencyâs facility is. I did some workouts. I trained with the Wizards, Spurs and Celtics. They went well. My choice was to stay in the Draft if I had a guarantee of being selected in the first 20 picks. First of all, because knowing Iâd have a year of development, and done well, I could be much higher in the 2027 Draft. And also, above all, itâs a question of experience. The money part too, of course, but thatâs the least important thing right now. Iâm very confident in myself. I know what my qualities are. The important thing is to work hard. Villanova will be a place where I can do that very well.â
This answers why he was not competing in the drills. It seemed odd to sit out when the goal is to improve your stock, but now everything makes sense. There was some concern once Suigo started following Atlanta Hawksâ center Onyeka Okongwu on Instagram, but now we know that they made their acquaintance in Los Angeles. Suigo shares Excel Sports as an agency with Okongwu, who is also from the Los Angeles area.
On where he would have gone in the Draft had he stayed in:
âI could have stayed in the first round, even with Boston (pick 27). The idea of not rushing things, having an extra year of development to be even more ready to make an impact is important, even because of the pick position. The higher you are, the more a team is committed to player development.
It seemed like a long shot that Suigo would get that top-20 guarantee, and this confirms that. Yahooâs Kevin OâConnor had the 7â3â Italian going at pick 17 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in his latest mock draft, but once the withdrawal became official, OâConnor stated that he had Suigo top-20 on his personal board, but that he âdidnât expect him to stay in though.â Going to college will allow him to improve his stock and contribute more as a rookie once heâs there.
In the same article, Suigo noted that heâs a San Antonio Spurs fan and that itâs been âstrange to seeâ all of the Knicks-related posts on Instagram. That said, Suigo also noted that âitâs nice to know Iâm going to a college where I can develop and position myself well in the next draft.â
With Suigo in the fold, Villanovaâs roster now stands as such:
Guards â Elijah Crawford, Buddy Simmons II, Carter Fisk, Tyler Perkins, Jake Fiegen and Adam Oumiddoch
In an interview with the Memphis Commercial Appeal, a part of the USA TODAY network, TJ Madlock said he did not accept payments from gamblers to fix the outcome of his teamâs 81-64 loss to Southern Miss on Dec. 5, 2024, adding that "nothing that (the NCAA) put out is true."
Unlike his three teammates who were implicated â Amarr Knox, Shawn Fulcher and Corey Hines â Madlock did not play in the game in question. Madlock had left the Hornetsâ previous game, a 101-72 loss at SMU two days earlier, early in the second half and did not play in their following game, either, a 103-93 overtime win against UT Martin.
"I was added into a group chat, but I never responded to anyoneâs texts," Madlock said to the Commercial Appeal. "Why would I respond, knowing I wouldnât be playing? Also, why would somebody pay me for sitting on the bench? That doesnât even make any sense."
The NCAA alleged that Madlock and his three teammates took part in a FaceTime call the morning of the game with one of the two known sports bettors involved. It said the players agreed to throw the game and received $2,000 for doing so. The NCAA said in its release announcing the punishment that Madlock had informed the bettor that he was injured and wasnât going to play that night.
"Iâm a little pissed off, honestly," Madlock said to the Commercial Appeal. "Itâs like, how could I fix a game Iâm not playing in?"
Madlock said he had never spoken to the NCAA over the course of its investigation. The NCAA said Madlock had declined to participate in an interview with enforcement staff. Madlock told the Commercial Appeal that the NCAA had initially sent him an email to an address he no longer uses before reaching out to his father, then-Alabama State head coach and current Memphis associate head coach Tony Madlock, who forwarded the email to Alabama Stateâs athletic director and compliance director.
Madlock, who had no eligibility remaining after the 2024-25 season, said if he had known the consequences of not agreeing to an interview, he "wouldâve 100% talked to them and told them my side."
Madlock has hired sports attorney Don Jackson, who has been in communication with NCAA enforcement staff and will be formalizing a demand for a retraction. Jackson told the Commercial Appeal he will also make direct contact with the NCAAâs general counsel and the head of the Committee on Infractions.
"If itâs not corrected, (Madlock is) going to have no alternative other than to pursue legal action against the NCAA and selected individuals that were involved," Jackson said to the Commercial Appeal.
As a senior in 2024-25, Madlock averaged 13.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game for an Alabama State team that won the first NCAA tournament game in program history, a 70-68 victory against Saint Francis in the First Four. He played professionally last season in Germany, where he averaged eight points per game.
After leading his Knicks to an NBA championship and being crowned Finals MVP, Jalen Brunson has received yet another accolade: being called the âgreatest Knick of all-timeâ by Kendrick Perkins.
The ESPN analyst and former NBA big man, who won a championship with the Celtics in 2008, has been a longtime fan of the Knicks guard and even coined his âBig Body Brunsonâ nickname.
And after the Knicksâ Game 5 clincher, Perkins took a moment to praise the 29-year-old superstar.
âThis man has become the greatest Knick of all time. Yes, I said it,â Perkins said on SportsCenter, placing Brunson ahead of the likes of Patrick Ewing and Willis Reed.
âThis man has become the greatest Knick of all time.â @KendrickPerkins after Jalen Brunson dropped 45 points to lead the Knicks to an NBA Finals victory pic.twitter.com/eVtKE3KN8Y
Jalen Brunson was crowned NBA Finals MVP after his stunning performance in Game 5. Getty Images
âHe will never spend another dime on another meal, another drink, I donât know if heâs even gonna have to pay his mortgage in the city of New York.
âThis is Mr. New York. He is the new Derek Jeter of this generation.â
Brunson averaged 32.6 points per game in the series, and saved his best performance for last as he scored 45 in San Antonio to will the Knicks to another comeback win.
While Brunson joined an exclusive list of Finals MVPs on Saturday, Perkins has been a longtime admirer of the former Maverick, who first joined New York on a four-year, $104 million deal.
The former Celtic sparred with ex-WNBA star Becky Hammon in 2023, when she declared that the Knicks did not have a â1Aâ dude and that Brunson was too small.
Kendrick Perkins was full of praise for Brunson after his legendary Game 5. ESPN
âThey do have that dude,â Perkins fired back. âJalen Brunson.â
Perkins was emphatically proven right throughout this postseason, and especially on Saturday night, and donât expect his victory lap to end any time soon.
Mike Brown didnât seem to be the New York Knicksâ first choice to take over as coach last spring, when the team fired Tom Thibodeau and was linked to at least a half-dozen other candidates who held various jobs around the NBA.
In the end, he clearly was the right choice.
Brown is now a five-time NBA champion coach â four of those rings won as an assistant, the fifth coming as head coach of the Knicks. He joins only Red Holzman on the list of those who won titles as coach of the Knicks, and fittingly, he did it on June 13.
Thereâs a banner in Madison Square Garden that says âHolzman 613â to commemorate his win total with the franchise. Brown won this title on 6/13.
âIâm pretty good at trying to control what I can control,â Brown said. âI had zero control over who else was interviewing, who was denied permission. I had zero control over that. I just did the best I could in the interview process. I went about my business and waited until it was either going to progress or end. ⊠I was pretty nonchalant about it as time went on. I just let it unfold the way it unfolded.â
Brown speaks fondly of his days with Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, a place his family still calls home â and the place where the Knicks captured this title after topping the Spurs in five games. He raves about his years coaching with Steve Kerr in Golden State as well.
Brown was an assistant on the 2003 Spurs title team, then was with the Warriors for three more title runs. He was the NBAâs coach of the year while with Cleveland in 2009; the Cavaliers wound up firing him. He was the NBAâs coach of the year again while with Sacramento in 2023; the Kings wound up firing him, too.
But in New York, heâs a legend for life now.
âMike was invaluable to this run,â Knicks forward Josh Hart said. âHe understands what it is to be a champion. He understands how to build a team, how to build habits that will put you in this position. Weâre so grateful, so thankful to have him at the top. He kept us even so many times. Heâs brought the best out of us, as people first. Iâm so happy for him. Heâs the reason why weâre here. Heâs the reason why weâre here, and weâve got love for him.â
Brown kept the mood light throughout the postseason push, didnât blink when the Knicks were down 2-1 in Round 1 to Atlanta after a pair of one-point losses, and always seemed to be the calm in the eye of the storm. Social media was blowing up with how Brown wasnât the right coach for the job when the Knicks trailed the Hawks.
New York went 15-1 from there. And a 53-year wait between titles is now over.
âI am so tired. I mean, Iâm gassed,â Brown said. âYou know, this stuff is harder than what you think.â
Mike Brown didnât seem to be the New York Knicksâ first choice to take over as coach last spring, when the team fired Tom Thibodeau and was linked to at least a half-dozen other candidates who held various jobs around the NBA.
In the end, he clearly was the right choice.
Brown is now a five-time NBA champion coach â four of those rings won as an assistant, the fifth coming as head coach of the Knicks. He joins only Red Holzman on the list of those who won titles as coach of the Knicks, and fittingly, he did it on June 13.
Thereâs a banner in Madison Square Garden that says âHolzman 613â to commemorate his win total with the franchise. Brown won this title on 6/13.
âIâm pretty good at trying to control what I can control,â Brown said. âI had zero control over who else was interviewing, who was denied permission. I had zero control over that. I just did the best I could in the interview process. I went about my business and waited until it was either going to progress or end. ⊠I was pretty nonchalant about it as time went on. I just let it unfold the way it unfolded.â
Brown speaks fondly of his days with Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, a place his family still calls home â and the place where the Knicks captured this title after topping the Spurs in five games. He raves about his years coaching with Steve Kerr in Golden State as well.
Brown was an assistant on the 2003 Spurs title team, then was with the Warriors for three more title runs. He was the NBAâs coach of the year while with Cleveland in 2009; the Cavaliers wound up firing him. He was the NBAâs coach of the year again while with Sacramento in 2023; the Kings wound up firing him, too.
But in New York, heâs a legend for life now.
âMike was invaluable to this run,â Knicks forward Josh Hart said. âHe understands what it is to be a champion. He understands how to build a team, how to build habits that will put you in this position. Weâre so grateful, so thankful to have him at the top. He kept us even so many times. Heâs brought the best out of us, as people first. Iâm so happy for him. Heâs the reason why weâre here. Heâs the reason why weâre here, and weâve got love for him.â
Brown kept the mood light throughout the postseason push, didnât blink when the Knicks were down 2-1 in Round 1 to Atlanta after a pair of one-point losses, and always seemed to be the calm in the eye of the storm. Social media was blowing up with how Brown wasnât the right coach for the job when the Knicks trailed the Hawks.
New York went 15-1 from there. And a 53-year wait between titles is now over.
âI am so tired. I mean, Iâm gassed,â Brown said. âYou know, this stuff is harder than what you think.â
In the unexpected speech from Dolan, who took over control of the Knicks in 1999, he reportedly told players about the importance of sacrificing and how much he believed in this Knicks roster to end the teamâs now-previous, 53-year title drought.
âThey were a little surprised, but the words hit,â a source told SNY.
James Dolan lifts the Larry OâBrien trophy as the Knicks celebrate winning the NBA championship on June 13, 2026. Jason Szenes for the New York PostJames Dolan (r.) is interviewed by ESPNâs Ernie Johnson (l.) during the Knicksâ trophy ceremony on June 13, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
More than two months later, Dolan and the Knicks earned the championship they so desperately craved as they defeated the Spurs in Game 5 on Saturday night.
Dolan was front and center during the Knicksâ title celebrations, as he was presented the Larry OâBrien by commissioner Adam Silver and apologized to fans for the teamâs struggles.
âHey, New York, Iâm sorry it took so long, but here we are, and hopefully it wonât take that long again,â Dolan said.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson were all smiles after winning their first rings. NBAE via Getty Images
He also interrupted Josh Hartâs postgame press conference to urge New Yorkers to be safe back home during their celebrations.
That advice wasnât entirely heeded, as 63 people were arrested, four were stabbed and one was shot after the Knicks clinched their title win.
The Knicks will hope their parade on Thursday goes off without any hiccups.
The viral clip shared on X was taken at the end of Saturdayâs victory in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, as jubilant fans could be heard screaming across the city.
âHear the exact moment Manhattan lost its mind,â said the caption for the video, filmed from a high-rise balcony.
âI could hear this from Queens thatâs how loud it was,â one X user wrote.
Many users, even those with no connection to New York or the Knicks, highlighted how astonishing the video was.
âThere are some people (not many but theyâre out there) who donât like sport. It leaves them cold, they donât âgetâ it. Imagine that? Could never be me,â wrote one X user.
âI love when real sports cities win,â added a second.
Soccer fans in New York for the FIFA World Cup were also caught up in the cathartic celebrations following the Knicksâ triumph.
âWe thought we were coming for the World Cup, and here we are caught up in an NBA tsunami,â wrote one soccer fan who had come over from France.
The Empire State building was lit with blue and orange to honor the Knicksâ historic win. Getty Images
Thousands upon thousands of New Yorkers took to the streets moments after the Knicks completed another double-digit fourth-quarter comeback to clinch the series against the San Antonio Spurs, 4-1.
Fans quickly took to the streets to celebrate the teamâs first NBA championship since 1973.
Knicks fans react on 28th St. in Manhattan, Saturday, June 13, 2026 to Knicks winning the NBA Championship. Robert Mecea for New York Post
Knicks owner James Dolan, speaking after the victory in San Antonio, urged fans to stay calm.
âWe need to tell everybody in New York that we know that theyâre celebrating, we want them to have a great time,â he said at a press conference.
âPlease be safe. Donât get hurt, donât hurt nobody.â
Fans watch game 5 of the NBA Finals between the NY Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at the Heineken Riverdeck at Pier 17 Knicks Watch Party on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in New York City. Michael Nagle for NY Post
An official parade for the victorious team will be held on Thursday, culminating in a ceremony at City Hall.
President Trump, a long-time Knicks fan who attended Game 3 of the finals at the Garden with Dolan, congratulated the team on his Truth Social platform.
âWhat a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four â maybe the greatest in the history of basketball,â the president said.
Of Jaylen Brunson, Trump said, âA star is born.â
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) shoots past New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) in the second half during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Coming off one of the worst losses in franchise history, the Spurs faced elimination for the third time this postseason in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. At the Frost Bank Center, the crowd was split almost 50/50 between Spurs fans and Knicks fans. Nonetheless, like all five games of this series, the Spurs got off to a hot start in the first quarter. Leading by 10 after the first, New York cut the deficit to five at halftime. The Spursâ defense was at its best, and the only engine that was working for the Knicks was none other than their captain, Jalen Brunson. The Spurs outscored the Knicks in the third and took an eight-point lead into the fourth quarter. In other words, heartbreak for the Spurs was unfortunately on the horizon yet again. The Spursâ offense stagnated, and shots stopped falling, while Brunson fueled the Knicks. The result: New York outscored the Spurs 29-18 in the quarter and captured their first title in 53 years. The Spurs suffered their first Finals series loss since 2013.
Dylan Harper led the way with 25 points (10-19 FG, 2-4 3PT), five rebounds, four assists, and a block. In the rookieâs first postseason, he averaged 14 points per game, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 51% shooting. Dylan elevated and averaged 18 points per game in the Finals, which is the most for a rookie guard since Magic Johnson in 1980. Safe to say, thatâs some good company. Dylan left everything on the floor and was easily the Spursâ second-best player in this series. The 20-year-old showed he belongs on this stage and deserves consideration for a starting spot next season.
Dylan fought through contact multiple times, including flicking a floater over Karl-Anthony Towns for a tough two.
Victor Wembanyama dropped a double-double: 19 points and 14 rebounds to go along with five blocks and two assists. Wemby had his best game on the glass and his best game with blocks. However, he struggled from the field, and it showed late. A key storyline of this series has been Wembyâs endurance, but the way his minutes were managed throughout this series (especially Game 4) was arguably questionable. Nonetheless, Wemby said after the game that he was not ready to win a championship and that he made too many mistakes. He averaged 26 points per game, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks in the Finals and 23.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game in his first playoff run. He joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to average those numbers and reach the Finals. The 22-year-oldâs self-awareness will have to make him explore his game even more this offseason.
Defense to offense. Like Spurs fans have seen all season, Vic rejects KAT on one end, and he finishes on the other end with a reverse jam!
Vicâs lone three came early in the second quarter. In terms of efficiency, his three-pointer is something he needs to continue working on this offseason.
Julian Champagnie dropped 14 points (4-8 3PT), seven rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Julian knocked down four threes, but also had some costly turnovers. Nonetheless, he averaged 11 points per game, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on 40% three-point-shooting in the Finals, and near similar numbers throughout his first playoff run. Julian from the beginning of the season till the end was the teamâs best three-point shooter, and set multiple franchise records, including threes in a game (11), threes in a season, and threes in one postseason. He has a team option coming up this offseason, but it is more likely that the Spurs decline it and give him a long-term deal.
Devin Vassell dropped 12 points (5-8 FG), seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. Dev gave it his all on both ends of the court and was a playoff riser all postseason long. He averaged 12.8 points per game, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists on 53.7% shooting and 46.7% three-point shooting in the Finals. In his first postseason, he averaged similar numbers on less efficient shooting. Dev has earned the respect of all Spurs fans, and he will continue being a glue guy for this team next season.
Devâs patented midrange beats the first half buzzer!
Some tough pills to swallow from this series: The average margin of victory was 4.0 points per game, it is the second smallest combined margin of victory for a winning team in the Finals (20), and most importantly, the Spurs led for 72% of the series and still lost in 5. Although it was a gut-wrenching way to end the season, Spurs fans need to take a step back and appreciate this team.
At the beginning of the season, this team was projected to barely crack 40 wins and make the play-in tournament (ESPN). This team completely overachieved and had several highlights from October to June. A 62-win season (most since 2016-17), two all-stars (DeâAaron Fox and Wemby), a 6th Man of the Year (KJ), the first-ever Unanimous Defensive Player of the Year (Wemby), an All-Rookie First Teamer (Dylan), an All-NBA First Teamer (Wemby), and a run to the NBA Finals in its first postseason run since 2018-19. Not to mention, they defeated the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the Western Conference Finals. If that does not convince you of how well-suited this team is for the future, here is a quick reminder for all NBA fans: Dylan Harper is 20, Carter Bryant is 20, Stephon Castle is 21, Victor Wembanyama is 22. This loss will only fuel this team for the next season and for the seasons to come.
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
To all PtR readers, thanks for following and reading along throughout this entire rollercoaster season! October canât come soon enough!
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