The New York Knicks secured their first NBA championship since 1973 with a late-game victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night, propelled by Finals MVP Jalen Brunson’s record-setting 45 points. The game, played in Texas, marked a notable moment not only for the team but also for Brunson, who reflected on his personal and professional ties to the state.

Brunson, 29, a former Villanova Wildcats player, won two NCAA championships in Texas cities Houston and San Antonio in 2016 and 2018, respectively. He later spent four years with the Dallas Mavericks after being drafted in 2018. Speaking after the game, Brunson humorously referenced Texas’ favorable tax policies in contrast to New York’s higher rates, saying, “I have nothing against Texas. I love Texas. I miss the Texas taxes.” New York’s individual income tax rates range from 4% to 10.9%, while Texas imposes no individual or corporate income taxes. Brunson, born in New Jersey and raised in Illinois, is currently under a four-year contract with the Knicks valued at $156.5 million.

Governor Kathy Hochul also weighed in on the victory, engaging in a public exchange of remarks with Texas Governor Greg Abbott on social media in the lead-up to the Finals. Hochul described herself as “basking in the glory of being the governor in the state with the greatest basketball team on the planet.” She noted the Knicks’ resilience throughout the playoffs, praising their tenacity and spirit after many had written them off. “A lot of people go to bed before the game is over, thinking it’s done throughout this entire series. And those who wait up just know the thrill of victory at levels we have never felt before in this city,” she said.

Despite the celebratory mood, festivities in New York City were marked by some unrest. Thousands of fans gathered in the streets to watch the games on large public screens, and Saturday’s crowd turned chaotic, resulting in over 60 arrests. Law enforcement reported injuries to 10 officers, four stabbings, and one minor shooting in which a 17-year-old was wounded in the foot. Governor Hochul expressed regret over the incidents, calling the violence "a shame" and emphasizing that the majority of fans celebrated peacefully. She commended the New York Police Department for their swift response but acknowledged that a small number of individuals marred the overall celebration.

As the Knicks return home with their first NBA title in over five decades, the win has reinforced New York’s basketball legacy while also igniting spirited exchanges about regional pride and economic contrasts with Texas.