Chapter 14

First Since 1973

Brunson scored 45 in Game 5, and the Knicks won their first championship since 1973.

1973

Epilogue · No next possession

First since
1973

Brunson scored 45 and the series ended in five. Fifty-three years of waiting ran out with the clock. The bet on Mike Brown, thirteen months old, was settled. For the first time since 1973, there was nothing left to win back.

**NBA** · official video · 19:39Poster: Official NBA video artwork · Finals Game 5 highlightsWatch on YouTube

16–3Postseason record

+283NBA-record playoff point differential

13Straight playoff wins

1stTeam to win the Cup and title in one season

Jalen Brunson · championship closeout

Forty-five
in the closeout

The NBA's Game 5 Brunson reel: 21 seconds of the night the argument ended.

05
Game 5 · Championship closeoutJalen Brunson highlight reel · editor-supplied NBA social clip · 0:21Source: NBA on X

**New York Basketball on X** · 1:11Locally hosted playbackView source on X

**SNY** · official video · 8:21Poster: Official SNY video artwork · Canyon of Heroes paradeWatch on YouTube

Fifty-three years of bag heads, and then this. The savior of New York, as the fans cut it.

**Fan tribute · editor-supplied** · 1:47Locally hosted playbackOpen supplied source

And if you're still not over the Knicks winning, some advice.

**Fan video · editor-supplied** · 0:54Locally hosted playbackOpen supplied source

Every clip on this page links to its original source.

First Since 1973

First since1973

Forty-fivein the closeout

First since
1973

Forty-five
in the closeout