Brunson secured his first ring three years older than Curry, who was just 26 when he won his first NBA Finals. However, the Golden State Warriors legend shares the distinction of winning the title in his very first Finals appearance.

Compared to James, Brunson is two years older than the Lakers star was during his first championship run. James was 27 when he got his first ring against Oklahoma City. Had Brunson not won, Victor Wembanyama could have done it at 22 but he came up short in his first trip to the Finals.

Brunson left his mark on the Finals

Brunson didn’t just help bring a title to New York; he also posted some massive individual numbers this postseason. He logged his fourth-highest playoff scoring average while pulling down a postseason career-high 4.1 defensive rebounds per game.

In the decisive Game 5 against the Spurs to clinch the title, Brunson dropped 45 points, another feat that holds up against James and Curry. It’s a performance that will undoubtedly go down in franchise history as an iconic moment, anchoring the team’s comeback to win the Finals.

Brunson didn’t cruise to this ring, either. The Knicks battled through some regular-season turbulence and missed out on the top seed in the Eastern Conference. But once the playoffs started, they found a second gear, dropping just three games total and avoiding a single Game 7.

Just like Wembanyama, James suffered a painful defeat in the 2007 NBA Finals while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. His team was swept 4-0 by the San Antonio Spurs, the very same franchise that looks much better today with the talented, towering Frenchman on the roster.

On the other hand, Stephen Curry also enters the conversation when comparing what Wembanyama accomplished in his first Finals appearance. But the Golden State Warriors guard fared much better, winning his first big trophy in 2015 with the team he has played for since 2009.

A great learning experience for Wembanyama and the Spurs

What Wembanyama accomplished in just his third NBA season, helping the Spurs put together a deep playoff run and knocking out the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder along the way, was incredibly impressive. It’s a valuable learning experience he can use down the road to get his revenge against the Knicks.

That’s pretty much exactly what James did after losing his first Finals back in 2007. It wasn’t until 2013 that he finally got his revenge against the Spurs, winning a thrilling 4-3 series against San Antonio as a member of the Miami Heat.

Wembanyama can also look at how well Curry has fared with the Warriors, having lost just two Finals in his career. One of those losses came during his second trip to the championship stage, falling to none other than James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Brunson ended with 45 points, but it fell a bit short of Curry’s best NBA Finals performance. Back in Game 3 of the 2019 NBA Finals, Curry had 47 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists against the Toronto Raptors.

On the other hand, LeBron James‘ best NBA Finals game came in Game 1 of the 2018 series vs. the Golden State Warriors. James scored 51 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in that game. Alongside his 45 points, Brunson had just three rebounds and three assists.

There’s a key difference in Brunson’s performance compared to Curry and James’

While scoring 45 points is nothing to be ashamed of, the box score alone signal James and Curry games as better than Brunson’s. Not only on the points statistics, but also on rebounds and assists.

However, Brunson wouldn’t trade his performance with either of them. After all, James and Curry both lost those games, while Brunson’s gave the Knicks their first NBA Championship in more than five decades. There’s no price tag in what Brunson just achieved.

Brunson’s NBA Finals performance puts him in elite company

Per Underdog NBA, there’s only been four players in NBA history scoring 45+ points in a closeout game in the NBA Finals. Brunson is the fourth guy on that list, joining top-talent names:

• Jalen Brunson
• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Michael Jordan
• Bob Pettit

New York seized control of the series after a dramatic 107-106 victory in Game 4, putting the Spurs on the brink of elimination. The game will be played in San Antonio, where the Spurs hope to extend the series and keep their title hopes alive.

With the Larry O’Brien Trophy potentially on the line tonight, here’s what each possible outcome would mean. After a historic 29-point comeback by the Knicks, anything is possible.

What happens if the Knicks win Game 5?

If the Knicks win tonight, they will capture the 2026 NBA championship. The victory would give New York a 4-1 series triumph and secure the franchise’s first NBA title since 1973. It would complete one of the most memorable playoff runs in team history and cement this group among the greatest Knicks teams ever assembled.

What happens if the Knicks lose Game 5?

If the Spurs win, the series would shift back to New York for Game 6. The Knicks would still lead the Finals 3-2, but San Antonio would gain momentum and another opportunity to extend the series.

Game 6 would be played Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks would have another chance to clinch the championship in front of their home fans. Should the Spurs also win Game 6, a winner-take-all Game 7 would be necessary.

What happens if Knicks vs Spurs is tied after regulation?

If the score is tied at the end of regulation, Knicks and Spurs would play a five-minute overtime period to determine a winner. If the game remains tied after the first overtime, another overtime period would be played.

That process would continue indefinitely—double overtime, triple overtime, and beyond—until one team finishes with more points and wins the game. Every NBA Finals contest must produce a winner.

How close are the Knicks to the championship?

The Knicks enter Game 5 in a commanding position, needing just one more victory to secure the title. Historically, teams leading an NBA Finals series 3-1 have gone on to win the championship the vast majority of the time. It has happened 38 of 39 times with the only exception in 2016 when LeBron James and the Cavaliers came back against the Golden State Warriors led by Stephen Curry.

The result marked the largest comeback ever recorded in an NBA Finals game and gave New York a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. The loss leaves San Antonio needing three consecutive victories to capture the championship. While Game 5 will be played in San Antonio on Saturday, the Knicks have already guaranteed that, at minimum, the series will return to Madison Square Garden for a potential Game 6.

Following the heartbreaking defeat, Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama addressed the team’s mindset moving forward. “What’s going through my mind right now? I think it’s going to go one of two ways. A bad one and a good one. The bad one would be giving up. The good one would be getting stronger through this, getting more together. I know this is what we’re going to do.”

What did Victor Wembanyama say after the Spurs’ Game 4 loss?

Victor Wembanyama’s comments reflected a player determined not to let one painful defeat define the series. However, the young star was also honest when discussing how the Spurs allowed such a massive lead to disappear.

When asked about the collapse in the second half, Wemby did not hide his frustration. “I think it began before that. I can’t really explain it right now. I think it’s just execution, greediness. We clearly weren’t the most hungry in the second half.”

Whether the Spurs can recover from one of the most painful losses in franchise history will be determined in Game 5, with their championship hopes hanging by a thread.

In NBA playoff history, teams that trail 3-1 in a series have a very hard time coming back. If San Antonio manages to overcome its 3-1 deficit against New York, it will accomplish what only LeBron and Cleveland could. As for 3-0 deficits, no team has ever overcome such a disadvantage in Finals history. Not only that, no team has ever come back from down 3-0 in any playoff series.

If Victor Wembanyama achieves such a milestone in only his third year in the league, comparisons to LeBron will be off to a great start. Needless to say, no other team aside from the Cavs has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals.

Those who came close to 3-1 comebacks in NBA Finals

Throughout league history, 23 teams managed to extend the series to seven games after falling behind 3-1. Only LeBron and Cleveland were able to come away with a win in Game 7.

For instance, the Knicks forced a Game 7 after falling behind 3-0 against the Rochester Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) in the 1951 NBA Finals. The Los Angeles Lakers also forced a Game 7 after trailing 3-1 against the Boston Celtics in the 1966 NBA Finals. However, neither team could complete the comeback.

It felt impossible until LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and company rallied from a 3-1 deficit against Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and the Golden State Warriors in 2016. The odds of such a comeback ever happening again are low, but if there’s someone who could pull it off, it might be ‘Wemby’ and the Spurs.

Almost made NBA history

Had San Antonio not blown a 29-point lead in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, the Knicks and Spurs would have found themselves on the wrong side of an unprecedented mark in league history. Never before had both NBA finalists lost their first two home games of the series.

Home court could have been considered a disadvantage, but New York rallied from an improbable deficit to put itself one win away from its first championship since 1973.

Last sweep in NBA Finals

Just as they were responsible for the most remarkable and memorable comeback in NBA Finals history, LeBron James and the Cavaliers were also involved the last time a team was swept in the championship round. The Warriors played a role in that one as well.

The last sweep in the NBA Finals was in 2018, when Golden State blew Cleveland out of the water in four games en route to the Warriors’ sixth NBA championship. Throughout league history, a total of nine NBA Finals have ended in a four-game sweep.

The last time a Western Conference team was swept in the NBA Finals was in 1989, when the Los Angeles Lakers fell at the hands of the Detroit Pistons. Since, four Eastern Conference sides have been in the losing end of sweeps, including the Cavs being swept twice.

Wu-Tang Clan will be in charge of keeping fans on their seats during the intermission in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals. Thus, in addition to the local celebrities regularly spotted courtside and in suites at Madison Square Garden, the hip-hop collective from Staten Island will also be representing the hometown Knicks.

New York is vying to win its first NBA championship since 1973, and with San Antonio pushing back on the road, it’s clear the Knickerbockers need all the help they can muster. Three decades after the release of the iconic album, ‘Enter the Wu-Tang’ once again takes center stage. In Game 4, the group formed by RZA, GZA, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon the Chef, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Masta Killa, and Cappadonna will have the spotlight fixed upon them at halftime.

How long is halftime in NBA Finals?

Although NBA rules state, “Fifteen minutes will be permitted between halves of all games,” that limit is sometimes exceeded during the Finals. Because of broadcast segments, player and coach interviews, ads, and halftime shows, it is not too rare for the intermission between the second and third quarters to extend a bit longer and range from 17 to 20 minutes.

Considering just how many New York anthems Wu-Tang Clan has in its discography, halftime of Game 4 may last even longer. Still, officially, halftime lasts 15 minutes, and that is the benchmark the league aims for.

Celebrities in attendance at MSG for Game 4

Coming off a star-studded turnout in Game 3, which included President Donald Trump, New York City mayor Xohran Mamdani, Jay-Z, Spike Lee, Eli Manning, Derek Jeter, Mariska Hargitay, Larry Dacid and many more, Game 4 between the Knicks and Spurs will be no different.

Taylor Swift is attending Madison Square Garden, though without fiancé Travis Kelce. That’s in addition to Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, and Ben Stiller, who have become regulars at MSG.

Moreover, a large party of New York Giants, including Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston, and Cam Skattebo were also spotted making their way into the “World’s Most Famous Arena”. Hailey Bieber, Tate McRae, Aaron Judge, Carmelo Anthony, and Nas are other household names making an appearance in New York City for the high-stakes showdown. The VIP list, however, is a lot longer.

Previous halftime show

Game 3 didn’t end how Knicks fans expected, but they were still in for a treat. The halftime show was also headlined by a fellow New Yorker, as Cardi B (born in the Bronx) took center stage. Now, it’s time for Wu-Tang Clan.

Though New York hopes the series won’t go that far, the Knicks are guaranteed to be back at Madison Square Garden for Game 6 if they lose either Game 4 or Game 5. Thus, fans who make their way to the arena above Penn Station can expect another top-notch artist to perform at halftime.

“[Swift is] a huge fan of the Knicks and really wants to be there to support them. She is going with friends,” as reported by Page Six. Whether Kelce is included in the friend group or not, that’s unclear. Perhaps, if Kelce were to join her, the source would’ve noted it. The fact there is no mention of Kelce suggests he won’t be in New York.

Most signs suggest Kelce isn’t making the trip to the Big Apple to catch Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs. First, he is currently participating in the Kansas City Chiefs’ mandatory minicamp back in Missouri. Second, the Cleveland Heights native may still not be over his Cavaliers’ 4-0 defeat in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Kelce is staying loyal to both his NFL organization and the basketball team he grew up rooting for. Most likely, Swift won’t be joined by Kelce at the “World’s Most Famous Arena.” Still, there will be no shortage of celebrities in attendance. In addition to Swift, MSG regulars Timothée Chalamet, Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, Mariska Hargitay, and many others may also be sitting courtside during Game 4.

Is Taylor Swift a Knicks fan?

Born in West Reading, Pennsylvania, Swift grew up somewhat close to New York City and well within Knicks territory. Over the years, she has repped the orange and blue countless times and has attended games at Madison Square Garden.

Most notably, Swift and Kelce sat courtside at Rocket Arena during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, when the soon-to-be-married couple’s childhood teams—the Knicks and Cavaliers, respectively—met. Ultimately, Swift had the last laugh as New York swept Cleveland en route to the organization’s first Finals appearance since 1999.

MSG will host Swift and Kelce’s wedding

Swift may have also gotten her wish regarding the wedding venue. According to reports, Swift and Kelce will get married on July 3 at Madison Square Garden. Thus, as she watches the Knickerbockers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Swift may also have time to analyze the venue and make any last-minute adjustments.

As for Kelce, he’s busy gearing up for the 2026 NFL season. While his fiancée enjoys a night out in the City That Never Sleeps, he’ll remain in the City of Fountains working on his craft.

In a recent declaration, he made it more than clear that the Thunder are about to play just as aggressively as they did in 2026, when they reached deep into the postseason and pushed the San Antonio Spurs to a Game 7 during the conference playoffs. That is something all other teams should pay attention to.

“Our goal is to repeat a process, not chase an outcome. This process is to position our team and our organization so that if we are fortunate enough to have things break our way, we can achieve ultimate success. This is how every NBA champion is able to achieve success,” Presti said.

A strong season for the Thunder

Two straight years with 60+ wins for the Thunder is exactly what Presti wants to see continue. Since the 2012-13 season, they haven’t won that many games. In the words of the General Manager, his franchise is more than ready to get back to work and replicate the results of the last two seasons.

Presti’s confidence in what the Thunder have to offer is a clear wake-up call for rivals who might think the team is shaken after being unable to defend their NBA title in 2026. In his presser, he noted that great teams not only have stamina, but the endurance to sustain success over time.

The 2026 season was quite special for Presti and his organization. Not only did they enter the year as defending champions, but it marked their third straight appearance in the postseason. Following a playoff drought from 2020-21 to the 2022-23 season, this current run signals just how prepared the team truly is.

Trump was once a courtside regular at Knicks games at Madison Square Garden. However, he has largely put that fandom aside since entering national politics. In fact, a Trump hasn’t attended a Knicks game at MSG in more than a decade. Fans in attendance for Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals will witness an exceptionally rare Trump sighting.

According to reporter Evan Sidery, the last time Trump attended a Knicks game at the “World’s Most Famous Arena” was on December 4, 2014, when the Cleveland Cavaliers were in town for a regular-season matchup. When the Knicks take on the Spurs in Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals, Trump will be back at MSG for an NBA fame for the first time in 12 years.

Trump’s appearance will make NBA history

With his presence during Game 3, Trump will set a precedent. Trump, who was born in Queens and grew up in New York City, will become the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals showdown.

As reported by the NBA at the time, Barack Obama was the last president to attend a game, as he sat courtside during Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals between the Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors.

However, Obama attended that game after leaving office, and it took place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada. Another notable difference is that Trump has opted against sitting courtside and will instead watch from a suite, according to Shams Charania.

Knicks’ final score last time Trump attended a game

The last time Trump was in attendance to watch the Knicks, New York fell 90-87 to Cleveland, led by the likes of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. According to The Sporting News, the last time Trump was in attendance for a Knicks victory was March 26, 2012. More than 14 years later, he hopes to bring good luck as New York looks to close out the series quickly and capture its third NBA championship in franchise history.

With the Spurs down 0-2 in the NBA Finals, Harper and his teammates want to show they can play hard on the road. “Desperation. I think for me, I feel like I’m at my best when I play with that type of desperation, and I think that’s what’s kind of needed for this occasion,” he stated.

Harper is more than ready for the ultimate sacrifice in a pivotal Game 3, because if the Knicks win, it could spell the end for San Antonio. “I feel like I’m going to go out there and no matter what the circumstances, if I’m not playing with that type of fire or grit, I’m doing a disservice to everyone.”

Harper, Spurs on the Same Page

At least Harper isn’t alone in his mindset. After Gregg Popovich told the team to focus on Game 3 and leave everything else behind, it is highly probable that the Spurs will take a different approach playing in New York. After all, they lost the first two games by a close margin.

Harper, playing at guard, has done a solid job, averaging 5.0 points against the Knicks in the NBA Finals. While he could do a little more, his 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game stay in line with his season averages, and he has historically performed much better on the road.

The Spurs’ strategy shouldn’t change that much when playing at Madison Square Garden (MSG); they just need to avoid turnovers to prevent a collapse like in Game 2. Their road series against the Oklahoma City Thunder showcased the total focus they possess during a tight series, which they ultimately took in seven games.