The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals, ending a championship drought that began after their 1973 title, according to the report.
The victory removes New York from the small group of American sports franchises whose title droughts have reached or exceeded 50 years, according to the report.
The report lists several other long droughts across the NBA. The Sacramento Kings are credited with a 75-year drought; the franchise won the 1950-51 NBA Finals as the Rochester Royals, defeating the New York Knickerbockers in seven games and featuring Hall of Famers Bob Davies, Red Holzman, Arnie Risen and Bobby Wanzer. The Atlanta Hawks’ title drought is listed at 68 years after their 1958 win over the Boston Celtics, highlighted by Bob Pettit’s 50 points and 19 rebounds in the decisive Game 6. The Utah Jazz are at 51 years after losing NBA Finals matchups in 1997 and 1998 to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. The Los Angeles Clippers are listed at 55 years; they have never won a title or appeared in a title game, with their deepest run a 2020-21 Western Conference finals loss to the Phoenix Suns. The Phoenix Suns are at 57 years since their 1968 inception, having lost NBA Finals appearances in 1976, 1993 and 2021, each in six games.
The report also notes long droughts in the NFL. The Arizona Cardinals’ drought is listed at 78 years, with the franchise’s last title coming in 1947 against the Philadelphia Eagles; that game featured quarterback Paul Christman going 3-for-14 for 54 yards with two interceptions and halfback Elmer Angsman rushing for 159 yards and two touchdowns. The Detroit Lions are listed at 68 years after their 1957 59-10 win over the Cleveland Browns, a game in which quarterback Tobin Rote threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns and the defense produced five interceptions, including a returned touchdown by Terry Barr. The Tennessee Titans’ entry is 64 years, noting their 1961-62 AFL title as the Houston Oilers, a 10-3 win highlighted by a 35-yard touchdown pass from George Blanda to Billy Cannon. The Los Angeles Chargers are listed at 62 years following their 1963 AFL championship, a 51-10 victory over the Boston Patriots.
The Knicks’ 2026 title changes that list, removing one of the longer gaps among major American sports franchises, according to the report.
