SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Jordan Clarkson etched his name into basketball history as the first player of Filipino heritage to win an NBA championship after the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 94-90, in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines) to clinch the title, 4-1.
Clarkson, a former Gilas Pilipinas standout and one of the most recognizable Filipino-linked athletes in the NBA, added another milestone to his decorated career as New York captured its first NBA crown since 1973, ending a 53-year championship drought.
The 34-year-old guard contributed two points and one rebound in five minutes of action, capping a season in which he also helped the Knicks secure the NBA Cup title.
Clarkson’s championship breakthrough is widely regarded as a landmark achievement for Philippine basketball, underscoring the growing impact of Filipino-connected talent on the world’s biggest basketball stage.
The Knicks sealed the title behind a historic performance from Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, who exploded for 45 points and shattered the franchise record for most points scored in an NBA Finals game. Brunson eclipsed the previous mark of 38 set by Knicks legend Willis Reed during the 1970 Finals.
Following the championship victory, Brunson reflected on the culmination of a lifelong dream.
“I have no words. It’s everything I ever dreamed of,” said Brunson, whose fourth-quarter scoring barrage helped New York erase yet another double-digit deficit.
The championship-clinching victory highlighted the Knicks’ resilience throughout the series. New York rallied from deficits of at least 10 points in all four of its Finals wins, including overcoming a 16-point hole in the deciding game.
Mikal Bridges added 14 points, Josh Hart chipped in 13, while OG Anunoby finished with 11 points and eight rebounds as the Knicks completed their remarkable postseason run.
Filipino-American rookie Dylan Harper paced the Spurs with 25 points, while Victor Wembanyama contributed 19 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks. However, San Antonio failed to protect another early lead as New York completed its comeback and celebrated a long-awaited championship./PN
