Knicks ice-cold bench cant derail the title train as 53-year drought ends

SAN ANTONIO — It wasn’t so long ago, Landry Shamet couldn’t miss a shot.He became a key part of the Knicks’ explosive second unit.But Shamet has gone ice-cold, and the Knicks’ reserves are no longer making an impact.It continued in Saturday night’s 94-90 Game 5, championship-clinching win.

Shamet, hesitant and clearly lacking confidence, missed five of his seven field goal attempts.The Knicks’ bench was scoreless until the final minute of the third quarter when Jordan Clarkson got a shot to fall.

Before that, the backups missed their first 14 shots from the field.Spurs super-sub Dylan Harper more than doubled up the Knicks reserves with 25 points.Shamet played his way into the playoff rotation, carving out a prominent role in the Eastern Conference semifinals when OG Anunoby suffered a mild hamstring strain.In the first two games of the finals, he scored 13 points apiece and was 6-of-13 from 3-point range.

But his shot has gone awry since.He was a combined 1-of-11 from the field in the previous two contests, and it didn’t get any better in Game 5.

Another unbelievable Knicks win and another cover worth framing to hold onto this moment.No three letters are more appropriate right now.

Own this piece of history with our cover celebrating the Knicks’ sweep over the Cavs.If you’re a Knicks fan and a Post fan, get in the game with this jersey inspired by our May 20, 2026 cover.

Show the boys some love as they face off against the Spurs to take the championship.After 27 years, we’re back in the finals.

Immortalize this moment.No matter what happens from here, we made it, and nobody can take that away.

Bonkers feels like the only appropriate word to describe this season.“Great process, got some great looks, had a few that were down and out,” Shamet said after Game 3.

“Process over outcome.I’m more upset about some of the things defensively that I’ve been priding...