NBA Finals: Knicks Face Spurs in Game 5 With Chance to Seal First Title Since 1973 — Live Updates

New York Knicks fans entered Game 5 of the NBA Finals with a mix of hope and nerves, knowing their team was one win away from ending a 53-year championship drought. The series had shifted to San Antonio after the Knicks produced a stunning Game 4 comeback, erasing a 29-point deficit and beating the Spurs 107-106 to take a 3-1 lead. That victory put New York on the brink of its first title since 1973 and sparked celebrations across the city, from bars and watch parties to outdoor gatherings and even a reported viewing inside the Rikers Island jail complex.

Game 5 opened with intense energy at the Frost Bank Center, where both teams’ fans packed the arena and the Knicks’ celebrity following was again visible. But the first quarter belonged to San Antonio. Victor Wembanyama set the tone early with blocks, a dunk, and a strong defensive presence, while rookie Dylan Harper provided a major boost off the bench. The Spurs surged ahead as New York struggled badly from the field, finishing the opening period with just 13 points, four made baskets, and more turnovers than field goals.

Despite the ugly start, the Knicks stayed within reach thanks to Jalen Brunson, who carried the offense almost single-handedly. Brunson scored 16 of New York’s 37 first-half points, helping trim a 16-point deficit to five by halftime. New York also benefited from a sequence late in the second quarter in which Josh Hart was fouled on a drive, the foul was upgraded to flagrant after review, and the Knicks turned the possession into a five-point swing. Still, the Spurs led 42-37 at the break, with Harper and Wembanyama tied for the team lead in scoring.

The game was played against the backdrop of the emotions surrounding Game 4. Police said 56 people were taken into custody after unrest outside Madison Square Garden following New York’s comeback win, and 10 officers were injured. Video also circulated showing Wembanyama being heckled outside his Manhattan hotel. The Spurs star brushed off the incidents, saying they did not bother him and that the team had moved on from the collapse.

The larger story of the Finals has been the razor-thin margin between the two teams. Although the Knicks lead the series 3-1, the four games entering Game 5 had been decided by a total of only eight points, with three going down to the final seconds. For New York, the chance to finish the job carried enormous historical weight. For San Antonio, the mission was simple: recover from the most devastating loss in Finals history and force the series back to New York.