NBA FINALS: KNICKS VS. SPURS

June 13, 2026

Mikal Bridges

Ariel Hukporti

Mohamed Diawara

New York Knicks

Game 5: Postgame

New York Knicks 94, San Antonio Spurs 90

Q. Congrats on the title.

Just want to know how much it means to you to get this title with Jalen and you guys were teammates in Villanova, so how much does it mean to win a title with your guys in here?

MIKAL BRIDGES: J.B., I don't know. I've known him for so long. I know how much he works, how good of a person he is, how good of a basketball player he is. I'm just grateful to be on his side again. That's really how I put it. I know how much he works and how much he wants to win. Just grateful to be in this position, to be with him and try to go out there and win.

Q. You were asking if we had any questions, so yes, I'm coming to you first --

ARIEL HUKPORTI: Me?

Q. Yes.

ARIEL HUKPORTI: I read it. I read it --

Q. You're a champion, right?

ARIEL HUKPORTI: It was my first time.

Q. Come on now. People represent their hometowns where they are from so much. What did it mean for new representing your hometown?

ARIEL HUKPORTI: I mean, I'm the first Togolese. So it means a lot. It means a lot. I got emotional a little bit toward the end. But we got it done. I'm glad. Shoutout to Togo.

MOHAMED DIAWARA: Same, emotional. Shoutout to France, great country. But we got it done.

ARIEL HUKPORTI: We got it done! We got it done! Yes, sir!

Q. First of all, how does it feel to be a champion and bring back a title to New York after over a half-century?

ARIEL HUKPORTI: It feels great. It feels great. 50-plus years, didn't bring a championship to New York. We did it. Now we're here celebrating with them fans. I want to thank the fans, too. Appreciate them for supporting us all the time.

Yeah, nothing else to say. We got it done. I'm happy. It feels great. Amazing. Best thing in the world. I can't even describe it when I'm being honest but yeah. Yeah, s---, for me personally, I got drafted last. So that means a lot for me.

MIKAL BRIDGES: You got drafted last?

ARIEL HUKPORTI: Yeah, I got drafted last.

Q. What does it mean for this team but also for the world of basketball to have a leader that is not flashy but a lot of heart, talent and hard work?

MIKAL BRIDGES: Yeah, we follow him. It makes it easy for us, you know what I'm saying? Very grateful to have Jalen be that guy, and we just follow his lead.

Q. I saw you coming off and some fans were talking about the picks and using expletives. I'm just wondering, what did that moment mean to you, and also, just through the last two years of, like, criticism?

ARIEL HUKPORTI: F--- them picks. F--- them picks.

MIKAL BRIDGES: You talking about f--- them picks?

ARIEL HUKPORTI: F--- 'em. Look what we got.

MIKAL BRIDGES: Just very grateful. Like, f--- 'em. But the times I've been struggling, the fans were on me. The thing is about me, I want to always be better. So whatever, how they feel, I always want to be better.

ARIEL HUKPORTI: Man, he too humble, man.

MIKAL BRIDGES: I'm still here.

MOHAMED DIAWARA: F--- that s---, Kal.

MIKAL BRIDGES: They keep pushing me and if they strongly believe that we have a chance every year and if they strongly believe I have a chance to be better, I'm already thinking about that. I appreciate the tough love. I know some fans might be a little bit crazier than others, but the ones that truly care, and want me to be better, don't stop now. Just keep pushing me.

I know sometimes I'll struggle, this and that, but just know I'm going to keep working. If they keep egging me on and talking a little s--- I'm pretty tough, I'll be all right.

ARIEL HUKPORTI: I got something to say. You guys still listening? About them picks -- we're not leaving -- man, we got him out of Brooklyn!

Look at him now, you're a champion! Look at him now. Everybody doubting your s---. Ain't take nobody from me. Hey, f--- them picks! F--- them picks!