Jalen Brunson's 45-point masterpiece propelled the New York Knicks to their first NBA title in 53 years, but his biggest contribution to ending the drought may have come two years ago.

"It's everything we ever dreamed of," an emotional Brunson said as he accepted the Bill Russell Trophy as Finals Most Valuable Player with his father -- former Knicks player and current Knicks assistant coach Rick -- at his side.

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts after his made three-point basket against the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo: AFP)

On a night when his teammates struggled offensively, Brunson willed the Knicks to the series clinching victory, another gritty come-from-behind victory for a team that has made them a trademark.

The long awaited title sparked scenes of celebration among long-suffering fans in New York, whose team had mustered just four winning seasons in a 21-year span before Brunson arrived from Dallas as a free agent in July 2022.

The Empire State Building is lit with the colors of New York Knicks after the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to win the series, as seen from West New York, New Jersey, on June 13, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Since then, the Knicks have had four straight winning seasons, reaching the Eastern Conference finals last year before at last going all the way for the third time in franchise history.

Brunson, 29, made a big bet on himself and the Knicks in 2024, when he signed a contract extension worth $156.5 million dollars.

'Hasn't sunk in'

Had he waited one year, he would have been eligible for a five-year maximum contract worth more than $269 million, but his shorter and cheaper deal gave the Knicks the financial flexibility to finish building what is now a championship roster.

Brunson said he knew at the time that a title was "very possible.

"With a lot of hard work and effort, I knew it was achievable.

"But (the contract) was only a small portion of it. I think everyone bonding, coming together, having the mindset of just believing in each other, never giving up, no matter what the situation was, made this all possible," he said.

"It may look like (the contract) had something to do with it, but it's a credit to my teammates."

Brunson, who won two national collegiate titles with Villanova but was a second-round pick by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018 NBA draft, said he still hadn't grasped the enormity of the Knicks' achievement or his own.

"It hasn't sunk in," he said. "I honestly don't know right now.

"I'm just thankful for the opportunity and just thankful this opportunity presented itself, and we were able to get it done."

But Knicks coach Mike Brown said Brunson's performance should cement his status among the league's elite.

"I've said it, and I hope you guys will listen to me but he's a Top 3 MVP candidate," Brown said.