Jalen Brunson is NBA Finals MVP after epic 45-point performance in Game 5
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks lifts the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images/Gregory Shamus
SAN ANTONIO — Heading into Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night, there was a debate over which Knick would be the MVP if they finished off the Spurs.
Jalen Brunson? OG Anunoby? Karl-Anthony Towns?
After the Knicks' 94-90 comeback win gave them their first championship in 53 years, it wasn't up for debate anymore.
It was Brunson, of course, who scored 45 points and carried the Knicks to a place they haven't been since 1973.
Brunson averaged 29.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists in the first four games. Despite the fact that the Spurs’ defense was doing everything it could to keep him from getting comfortable, Brunson was able to hit the game-winner in Game 1 and was the offensive engine that kept the Knicks alive in Game 4, scoring 36 points as the Knicks made a historic comeback from a 29-point deficit.
That being said, Brunson did struggle through the first two games of the series and was anything but efficient in the first four games. He headed into Game 5 shooting 39.6% from the field — seven other Knicks had better averages — and 34.5% from three-point range.
Much to-do has been made about the assertion that a shorter player — Brunson is 6-2 — can’t lead a modern NBA team to a title. Brunson being named Finals MVP is a poetic slap in the face to that notion.
Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.
