yahoo - 6/14/2026 6:01:36 AM - GMT (+2 )
The New York Knicks brought cheer to long-suffering fans of the five boroughs by bringing home their first NBA championship since 1973 with a 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the Finals.
The franchise's third title was perhaps their most unlikely, although they began the season with the fourth-best odds to win the championship after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals the year before.
Before tonight, the last time New York got to raise a banner in Madison Square Garden was after the night of May 10, 1973 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals (the game at The Forum in Inglewood, California started at 10:30 p.m. ET and was broadcast on ABC). Earl Monroe had 23 points, and Bill Bradley added 20 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in the 102-93 victory, which gave New York a 4-1 series win over Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain and the Los Angeles Lakers.
- No. 1 movie: "The Poseidon Adventure" starring Gene Hackman and Ernest Borgnine
- No. 1 song: "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" by Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
- No. 1 album: "Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite," by Elvis Presley
- The Chicago White Sox, at 17-6, had the best record in the major leagues. The White Sox would finish with a 77-85 record, fifth in the six-team AL West.
- The Montreal Canadiens beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-4 in Game 6 behind Yvan Cournoyer's goal and two assists to win the Stanley Cup.
- Former U.S. Attorney General John Mitchell and former Secretary of Commerce Maurice Stans were indicted on conspiracy charges for their role in the Watergate scandal.
- Gas was 39 cents a gallon
- Median home cost was $32,500
- Minimum wage: $1.60
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: New York Knicks last won NBA title in 1973. See US events at the time
read more