Jalen Brunson named NBA Finals MVP after historic 45-point effort in Knicks’ clinching win

Jalen Brunson scored 45 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, to lead the New York Knicks to a Game 5 NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs, clinching the franchise's first championship in 53 years. The 29-year-old guard was named Finals MVP after averaging 32.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across the five-game series. Brunson, who joined the Knicks as a free agent in 2022, shot 14-of-27 from the field and 13-of-15 from the foul line in the clinching win.