Real recap: 2026 Finals, Knicks def. Spurs 4-1. Brunson’s 45 (ties Jordan’s 1998 Game 6) won FMVP; 16-3 playoff run, 9 straight road wins, Mike Brown’s first title after replacing Thibodeau.
In 2009 the Lakers beat Orlando 4-1; Kobe’s first title as the undisputed leader ended the “Shaq’s shadow” tag.
Foundedin1976,aftertheABA-NBAmerger,theDenverNuggetswaited47yearsfortheirfirstch
Inthe1978NBAFinals,theWashingtonBulletsdefeatedtheSeattleSuperSonicsfourgamestot
Inthe2026NBAFinals,theNewYorkKnicksdefeatedtheSanAntonioSpursfourgamestoone,andJ
ManyonlyrememberWesUnseldastheclutchkillerwhotookoverinkeymoments,yetoverlookhow
In 2019 the Raptors beat Golden State 4-2; Kawhi’s lone-star run delivered Toronto its first title.
Inthe1979NBAFinals,theSeattleSuperSonicsdefeatedtheWashingtonBulletsfourgamestoo
Inthe1977NBAFinals,thePortlandTrailBlazersdefeatedthePhiladelphia76ersfourgamest
Duncan joined in 1997 with David Robinson to form the Twin Towers; in 1999 they won the first title together, the old Admiral as sidekick, Duncan as the load-bearer.
In 2014-15, Andre Iguodala was inserted into the starting lineup to guard LeBron; Golden State beat Cleveland 4-2 for its first title in 40 years, and Iguodala surprisingly won Finals MVP.
In 1999-00 the Lakers beat Indiana 4-2. Shaquille O’Neal averaged 38 points and 16.7 boards to win his first title and Finals MVP.