INDIANAPOLIS | Two major North American championships were decided over the weekend as the New York Knicks ended one of basketball’s longest title droughts and the Carolina Hurricanes returned to the top of the NHL.
Knicks end a 53-year wait
The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 to win the NBA Finals four games to one.
Jalen Brunson scored 45 points and was named Finals MVP.
The championship is New York’s first since 1973.
A defining fourth quarter
San Antonio led for significant stretches, but the Knicks controlled the closing period.
New York’s defense and Brunson’s scoring turned the game.
The young Spurs reached the Finals ahead of many expectations and remain positioned for future contention.
Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup
Carolina defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6.
Taylor Hall, Jackson Blake and Nikolaj Ehlers scored, while Brandon Bussi recorded a 22-save shutout.
The title is Carolina’s second and first since 2006.
Staal earns playoff MVP
Captain Jordan Staal received the Conn Smythe Trophy.
He scored in five of the six games in the Final and provided leadership throughout Carolina’s 16-3 postseason.
Coach Rod Brind’Amour became one of the rare figures to win the Cup as both player and coach for the same organization.
World Cup group play
The expanded FIFA World Cup continued across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Germany defeated Curaçao 7-1, the Netherlands and Japan drew 2-2, and Côte d’Ivoire defeated Ecuador 1-0 in confirmed group-stage results.
Sweden and Tunisia were among the teams scheduled as Monday’s matches continued.
Fever build momentum
Indiana defeated Connecticut 85-75 for its third straight victory.
Caitlin Clark scored 25 points, and Sophie Cunningham closed the game with 11 consecutive Indiana points.
The Fever host Toronto on Tuesday.
What comes next
New York and Raleigh will plan championship celebrations.
World Cup group tables will begin taking shape as second matches approach.
Indiana will try to convert its winning streak into sustained position in the WNBA standings and Commissioner’s Cup race.
Additional Reporting By: NBA; Reuters NBA Reporting; NHL; FIFA; and Indiana Fever.