The Knicks clinched the series with a 94-90 Game 5 win over the Spurs, securing their first title since 1973 after overcoming a 3-1 deficit to win three straight. The victory highlighted not just the Knicks’ championship run but also a tense subplot: Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, who spent two seasons in San Antonio before being waived, attempted to greet his old teammates after the final horn but was largely ignored by the Spurs, including fellow former Spurs like Carter Bryant and Lindy Waters on his way to the tunnel. The moment echoed a broader postgame scene in which the Spurs chose to skip the handshake line, with only a few veterans like Luke Kornet and Harrison Barnes stopping to shake hands with the Knicks. The postgame snub drew immediate reactions from observers and underscored the lingering rivalry between Sochan and Wembanyama, who had earlier brushed past Sochan during the series. Despite the cold shoulder, Sochan earns a championship ring as part of the Knicks’ roster, while the Knicks’ comeback season—featuring a historic 29-point rally in Game 4—cements New York’s NBA title win.
Key takeaways:
– Knicks win their first championship since 1973 after a dramatic comeback from a 3-1 series deficit.
– Sochan, a former Spur, was snubbed by his old Spurs teammates during the postgame events, fueling discussions about respect and rivalries.
– The Spurs’ handshake behavior persisted beyond Sochan’s moment, with most of the team leaving the floor without acknowledging the Knicks, though a couple of players did shake hands.
