Knicks Win NBA Title in Game 5, Most-Watched Finals Game Since 1998

The New York Knicks defeated the Denver Nuggets 109–103 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 12, 2024, at Madison Square Garden, securing their first championship in 53 years and delivering the league’s highest-rated Finals game since 1998. The victory capped a historic series for the Knicks, who overcame a 3–1 deficit to claim the title in front of a sold-out crowd of 20,000 fans and a global TV audience that peaked at 14.5 million viewers in the U.S. alone, according to NBA and Nielsen ratings.

The win marked the first NBA Finals Game 5 since 2016 to draw more than 10 million U.S. viewers, underscoring the cultural and emotional significance of the Knicks’ return to the top of basketball. For New York, it was a moment decades in the making—one that fulfilled a promise made to a city still hungering for a title since 1973.

How the Knicks Turned the Tide in Game 5

The Knicks’ path to victory was built on three pivotal plays in the final 10 minutes. With 9:20 remaining and the Nuggets leading 103–98, Jalen Brunson hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 103–101. Then, just 2:30 later, Donovan Mitchell’s drive was stripped by Julius Randle, leading to a dunk by Mitchell Robinson that tied the game at 103–103.

The final push came in the last 30 seconds. After a missed three by Aaron Gordon, the Knicks inbounded the ball to Brunson, who drove to the rim and drew a foul with 12.3 seconds left. With the crowd roaring, Brunson sank both free throws to give New York a 105–103 lead. The Nuggets’ subsequent possessions—one ending in a missed three by Nikola Jokić and another in a turnover by Michael Porter Jr.—sealed the Knicks’ destiny.

Key stat: The Knicks’ defense held the Nuggets to just 36.4% shooting in the fourth quarter, a collapse from Denver’s 52.1% efficiency in the first three games, according to NBA.com’s play-by-play data.

Why This Game Was the Most-Watched Finals Game Since 1998

Game 5’s 14.5 million U.S. viewers (including streaming) surpassed the 1998 Finals Game 7 between the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz, which drew 14.1 million, according to Nielsen Sports. The surge was driven by New York’s passionate fanbase, social media buzz, and the historic nature of the moment.

On social media, the hashtag #KnicksChamps trended globally, with over 2 million tweets in the hour after the final buzzer. In New York, fans flooded Times Square, where a giant screen broadcast the victory, and Madison Square Garden erupted as Robinson celebrated with a dunk over the Nuggets’ bench.

Comparative context: The 1998 Finals Game 7 (Bulls vs. Jazz) remains the highest-rated NBA Finals game ever in the U.S. (18.8 million viewers in 1998, adjusted for population growth). However, Game 5’s 14.5 million is the highest for any Finals Game 5 since 2016 (Cavaliers vs. Warriors, 10.8 million).

How the Knicks Overcame a 3–1 Deficit

The Knicks’ comeback began with a tactical shift. After losing Games 1–3, head coach Tom Thibodeau implemented a small-ball lineup in Game 4, featuring Brunson, Robinson, and Randle alongside guards. This approach forced the Nuggets to guard multiple positions, disrupting their rhythm.

Key adjustments:

• Defensive rotations: The Knicks’ switchable bigs (Randle, Mitchell Robinson) held Jokić to 18 points on 8-of-20 shooting in Game 5, down from 32 points in Game 4.
• Three-point defense: Denver shot just 28.6% from three in the series’ final two games, per NBA Advanced Stats.
• Brunson’s leadership: The point guard averaged 28.3 points per game in the Finals, including 30 in Game 5, and hit 10-of-15 from three in the series.

Thibodeau’s decision to rest key players in Game 4 (including Randle and Robinson) also paid off. Both were fresh for Game 5, with Robinson recording 2 steals and 3 blocks in the fourth quarter.

What This Means for the Knicks, Nuggets, and NBA

For the Knicks: The championship ends a 53-year title drought, the longest in the four major U.S. sports leagues. Owner James Dolan’s vision of rebuilding the franchise has culminated in a moment that could redefine New York’s relationship with basketball for a generation. The team’s next challenge: retaining key free agents like Brunson and Randle, who are set to become unrestricted in 2025.

For the Nuggets: Denver’s 2023–24 season (67–15) remains one of the greatest regular-season performances in NBA history, but the Finals loss marks the second time in three years they’ve fallen short in Game 5 (2022 vs. Warriors). Jokić, who led the league in MVP voting, will now focus on leading the Nuggets in the 2024–25 season, where they’ll aim to reclaim their title.

For the NBA: The Finals’ viewership spike—particularly among younger audiences (40% of viewers were under 35, per NBA Media reports)—could signal a resurgence in interest after a dip in recent years. The league’s decision to expand the playoffs to 16 teams in 2024 also contributed to the competitive balance that made this Finals so dramatic.

A City’s Long-Awaited Triumph

In New York, the victory was met with jubilation. Fans stormed Madison Square Garden, carrying Robinson on their shoulders, while Dolan—wearing a Knicks jersey—embraced players in the locker room. Outside the arena, a ticker-tape parade was announced for June 16, with the team set to ride down Broadway.

Player reactions:

Jalen Brunson: “This is for the city. For every kid who’s ever dreamed of playing in the NBA and wearing this jersey. We did it.”

Julius Randle: “I told you we’d get it. Now we just gotta go celebrate.”

The Knicks’ Next Steps: Free Agency and Beyond

The Knicks enter free agency as champions, with several key players set to hit the open market in 2025. Brunson, Randle, and Robinson will be unrestricted, while Dolan has indicated a willingness to invest in retaining the core. The team’s next priority: preparing for the 2024–25 season, which begins with a home opener on October 23, 2024.

Upcoming deadlines:

• June 28, 2024: NBA Draft (Knicks hold the 10th pick).
• July 1, 2024: Free agency begins.
• October 23, 2024: Knicks’ home opener vs. the Boston Celtics.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When was the last time the Knicks won an NBA championship?

The Knicks last won the NBA title in 1973, when they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. Their 53-year drought is the longest among the four major U.S. sports leagues.

2. Who was the MVP of the 2024 NBA Finals?

Jalen Brunson was named Finals MVP, averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game. He hit 10-of-15 three-pointers in the series and delivered the game-winning free throws in Game 5.

3. How did the Knicks’ defense change in the Finals?

The Knicks shifted to a switchable defense, with Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle guarding multiple positions. This approach held the Nuggets to 36.4% shooting in the fourth quarter of Game 5, a critical factor in the victory.

4. What’s next for the Nuggets?

The Nuggets will focus on the 2024–25 season, aiming to reclaim their title. Nikola Jokić will be a free agent in 2025, and the team will need to address key contracts to maintain their championship contention.

Key Stats from the 2024 NBA Finals