The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 to claim their first championship since 1973.

(Running Africa) – The New York Knicks are NBA champions for the first time in 53 years after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, ending one of the longest title droughts in professional basketball.

Beyond New York’s historic triumph, the 2026 NBA Finals highlighted the growing influence of players with African roots, with several stars making key contributions throughout the championship series.

Leading the charge for the Knicks was OG Anunoby, the London-born forward of Nigerian heritage. Anunoby delivered one of the defining moments of the Finals in Game 4, scoring 33 points and sealing a dramatic comeback victory with a game-winning tip-in that helped swing momentum in New York’s favor.

The Knicks also received valuable contributions from Ariel Hukporti, the German-born center of Togolese descent, whose energy and defensive presence proved crucial during Games 4 and 5.

On the other side, the Spurs were led by rising French superstar Victor Wembanyama, whose father is from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 22-year-old delivered another outstanding postseason campaign, averaging 26.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game during the Finals.

Veteran Congolese center Bismack Biyombo also played an important leadership role for San Antonio, bringing experience and depth to the Spurs roster throughout the championship series.

While the Knicks celebrated a long-awaited championship, the Finals also served as another reminder of Africa’s growing impact on global basketball, with players of African descent continuing to shape the sport’s biggest stages.