Chapter 14

First Since 1973

Brunson scored 45, the clock reached zero, and New York finally had nothing left to win back.

Epilogue · No next possession

First since
1973

Brunson's 45 closed it in five. Then the clock hit zero, and there was nothing left to win back.

Jalen Brunson · championship closeout

The supplied NBA reel belongs exactly here: Game 5, the closeout, and the final answer to every old doubt.

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

16–3Postseason record

+283NBA-record playoff point differential

13Straight playoff wins

1stTeam to win the Cup and title in one season

Editorial archive · approved primary-source links · media credits and rights disclosures attached