This is the Spurs vs. Knicks Game 5 recap. The NBA Finals went back to Texas, where the San Antonio Spurs hosted the New York Knicks. Down 3-1 in the series, it was a do-or-die for San Antonio.
Both teams struggled with early misses, with neither team making a basket in the opening 2:12. New York started one-for-ten from the field, continuing the slow start narrative. The Knicks were down 23-13 at first intermission, with their only points from forward OG Anunoby and guard Jalen Brunson.
Spurs’ center Victor Wembanyama stifled New York, getting his fifth block less than two minutes into the second quarter. It took the Knicks almost another three minutes into the frame to drain a basket.
New York struggled against San Antonio’s defensive scheme, continuously finding themselves in the red of the shot clock. That said, Brunson was ready to pick up his team. The only player on his team with a 50% FG in the first half, his 16 points to this point get them in the game. It was 42-37 at halftime.
Spurs guard Dylan Harper was locked in for his team offensively. Coming off the bench, he had a team-high 21 points through the third quarter. Brunson carried his team, with 30 of the Knicks’ 65 points through three. With nobody else on his team above 12 in that span, they’d face another comeback situation in Game 5.
Brunson continued strong on his mission in the fourth quarter. New York tied the game with 4:47 remaining, thanks in large part to his 40 points at this point. The tension continued to build into the final two minutes.
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns fouled out, turning over the ball to San Antonio. Wembenyama hit one of those free throws, and while the defense was strong on Brunson, the Spurs couldn’t drain their next couple of opportunities.
San Antonio tried fouling back into the game, eventually calling a timeout with 20 seconds remaining, down 92-88. Guard Stephon Castle slammed home a rebound on the subsequent play. New York made one free throw on the other end, giving the Spurs the ball back with 8.8 seconds to go, down 93-90.
Harper was fouled on the inbound play, but missed both. Anunoby was fouled on the rebound, with 7.7 on the clock. He drained both of his, which ultimately was the final blow for San Antonio, and for the 2026 NBA Finals.
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That does it, the 2026 NBA Champions are crowned in Spurs vs. Knicks Game 5. The City will celebrate its first championship since 1973.
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