The New York Knicks brought their championship celebration to the heart of the city on June 18, days after ending a 53-year wait for an NBA title. Players, coaches, and team staff rode through Manhattan in the franchise’s first-ever ticker-tape parade, giving fans a chance to celebrate a season they will never forget. The parade traveled down Broadway before ending at City Hall, where the team received keys to the city from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns Lead New York Knicks Celebration
Thousands of fans dressed in blue and orange packed the streets as Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and their teammates made their way through the city.
Brunson, who was named NBA Finals MVP, used the moment to thank the people who believed in him throughout his journey.
“I want to say thank you to Jim Dolan and the front office for believing in the kid no one else wanted,” Brunson said during the celebration. “We really did it, dog. Somehow, some way, I knew we were going to find a way to get this done.”
He also spoke about the criticism the team faced during the season.
“There’s a lot of people that have a lot of negative stuff to say. There’s a lot of people who have a lot of opinions, but when you prove ‘em wrong, you don’t have to say s**t to them,” Brunson said. Head coach Mike Brown also addressed the crowd and made it clear who the championship belonged to.
“I want to thank everybody. I want to thank everybody for helping accomplish this great feat,” Brown said. “This championship is about you guys. This is New York City’s championship.”
Several well-known Knicks supporters joined the celebration route, including Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan, Ja Rule and Teyana Taylor.
Knicks Parade Marks a New Chapter in New York Sports History
The event carried extra meaning because the Knicks had never taken part in a ticker-tape parade before. While the team won its previous championship in 1973, city policies at the time meant no parade was held in the traditional format seen on Thursday.
The ticker-tape parade is one of New York City’s most famous traditions. It began in the late 1800s when workers along Wall Street threw strips of ticker tape from office windows. Today, confetti has replaced the paper ribbons, but the celebration remains one of the city’s highest honors.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani reflected on what the championship meant to local fans when confirming the parade on June 13.
“For more than 50 years, New Yorkers have waited for this moment,” Mamdani said. “Through near misses, heartbreak and a hope that every year could be our year, this city never stopped believing in the Knicks.”
Away from the celebration, family members of players also looked ahead to the offseason. Brunson’s wife, Ali Brunson, said she is excited for beach trips, backyard barbecues and family time with their daughter Jordyn. Shannon Hart, wife of Josh Hart, said she is looking forward to a slower schedule with their twins, Haze and Hendrix.
