Even rival NBA player Kevin Durant was thrilled watching the Knicks win the 2026 NBA Finals.
What the New York Knicks accomplished and how they accomplished it by beating the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win the 2026 Finals was nothing short of historic, but it was also nothing short of thrilling.
Not only was it the Knicks' first championship win in 53 years and their first Finals appearance in 27 years, but they forced their way into the playoffs on the heels of one of the largest playoff winning streaks in NBA history, a streak they extended by winning the first two games of the series to make it 13-straight wins, which is the definitive playoff record.
But it wasn't just that the Knicks were winning that made it so significant, but the way they were winning against the Spurs. On paper, the series was severely slanted in the Spurs' favor and with the way that every game started, it looked like every game was going to end slanted in the Spurs' favor as well.
New York Knicks fans cheer outside of Madison Square Garden on Plaza 33 while watching Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. Brenden Willsch-Imagn ImagesNever-Say-Die Knicks
Throughout the five games of the Finals, the Knicks trailed at the end of the first quarter in each one. The Knicks never looked like they were coming out of the gate strong in any of the games and constantly had to claw their way back up the scoreboard each time, but for four games, that's exactly what they did.
The comeback spirit of the Knicks is what made them so successful and so thrilling to watch, Even Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets, who was obviously out of the playoffs by the time the Finals rolled around, couldn't help but be entertained by what he was watching, even if it made him doubt the Knicks at times.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots as San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) defends during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesDurant Was Impressed
"I didn't become a believer, to be honest, until the last game... the Spurs would be up 15 points every game, 29 points, and then they'll [Knicks] just come back and steal the game. That's probably why it was the best championship as a viewer that probably I've ever seen," Durant said (via Sleeper Knicks).
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) dribbles the ball as New York Knicks forward/guard Og Anunoby (8) defends during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesPutting the 2026 Finals on such a high pedestal is a big piece of praise from Durant, but for all of the history and excitement involved, as well as seeing the personalities on both teams shine through so clearly in every game, it's hard to argue with Durant's assessment.
After a summer of celebrations and enjoying the victory though, the Knicks now have to get back at it with the 2026-27 season nearly here and it will be New York's goal to make this past championship not just thrilling, but the first victory of a new NBA dynasty.
