June 13 (UPI) — Jalen Brunson didn’t appear to blink, eying the rim with blood thirst and striking with fearless intensity for 45 points to lead the Knicks past the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday to clinch their first NBA title in 53 years.

The veteran guard totaled 29 points in the second half, including 15 in the fourth quarter of the 94-90 triumph in Game 5 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio. His 45 points set a Knicks franchise record for an NBA Finals game.

“Whenever someone counted us out, we found a way to come back and do something about it,” Brunson said on the ABC broadcast.

Brunson received NBA Finals MVP honors for his heroic efforts. The Knicks, who rallied from a 29-point deficit for a historic Game 4 win, overcame a 16-point hole in Game 5 to win the best-of-seven game series 4-1 and claim their first crown since 1973.

All-NBA big man Victor Wembanyama vaporized the Knicks’ early paint production, using his giant frame to block five shots while triggering countless awkward efforts, but the Spurs’ offense fizzled when it mattered most.

The feared Frenchman was the primary reason why the Knicks didn’t score a paint point for the first 19 minutes. He totaled 19 points and 14 rebounds to help the Spurs gain early momentum.

The Knicks missed 17 of their first 20 attempts, including their first five shots of Game 5. Wembanyama appeared to teleport his 7-foot-4 frame from end-to-end, making an impact on defense and running the floor with ease for violent rim finishes.

The Spurs carried a 23-13 lead into the second quarter. Wembanyama totaled three blocks and the Knicks logged five turnovers in the frame.

Brunson and the Knicks shot 40.9% over the next 12 minutes, compared to their 18.2% stroke through the first 12. The Knicks outscored the Spurs 24-19 in the frame. They cut the deficit to three with 67 seconds remaining in the half and trailed 42-37 at the break.

Brunson continued to attack, scoring another 14 points in the third quarter. Rookie guard Dylan Harper scored 10 for the Spurs in the quarter to help them carry a 72-65 lead into the fourth.

The Knicks continued their trend of comebacks in the series in the final minutes, scoring 10 consecutive points to tie the score at 83 with 4:48 remaining. They took their first lead since the opening minutes when Brunson sank a trio of free throws about a minute later.

Harper tied the score with 76 seconds remaining, but Brunson hit a floater on the next possession to give the Knicks another edge, which they didn’t lose.

The Spurs missed four of their final five shots in the loss. Veteran forward OG Anunoby and guard Mikal Bridges helped secure the Knicks victory with clutch free throws in the final 30 seconds.

With the win, the Knicks not only snapped their title drought, but they also became the first team in NBA history to win nine consecutive road games in a single postseason.

Bridges totaled 14 points for the Knicks. Anunoby scored 11. Fellow forward Josh Hart contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Harper totaled 25 points off the bench for the Spurs, while forward Julian Champagnie chipped in 14 points.