2026 NBA Finals

Recap: The city celebrates with the New York Knicks

Follow along as the New York Knicks celebrated the 2026 NBA championship with a parade.

Ben Lambert, for NBA.com

Jose Alvarado, Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks celebrated their championship with New York City at a ticker-tape parade Thursday.

For the first time in 53 years, New York City commemorated a championship from the New York Knicks Thursday. Enjoy the best of the festivities with the NBA.com live blog!

What we know after the New York Knicks parade:

  • New York City celebrated its championship-winning Knicks after they brought home the franchise’s first championship since 1973.
  • The parade began near Battery Park and Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan and traveled north along Broadway, ending at City Hall with speeches from Jalen Brunson and Mike Brown, among others.

1:22 PM | JUNE 18

Alicia Keys performs

After the Knicks received keys to the city, the 17-time Grammy Award-winner and New York City native performed.

“We’ve been waiting 53 years for this moment, and we’re never going to stop,” said Keys. “Are we the champions or what?! Congratulations, New York City.”

1:17 PM | JUNE 18

Scenes from the parade, part IV

1:07 PM | JUNE 18

The Knicks receive keys to the city

For the first time in NYC history, the keys were marked with an apple, celebrating the community, instead of the seal of New York City.

Mike Breen called the names of the players, one-by-one, where they received the honorary keys from Mayor Mamdani.

OG Anunoby was greeted by raucous cheers of his name — “OG, OG!” Karl-Anthony Towns got a passionate response. Jalen Brunson was serenaded with “MVP! MVP!”

The remarks were capped by Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” and Bad Bunny’s “NUEVAYoL.”

1:04 PM | JUNE 18

Jalen Brunson speaks

“I want to thank Jim Dolan and the front office for believing in a kid no one else would. Thank you to my teammates,” said Knicks’ captain. “Damn, we really did it, dog. Somehow, someway, I knew we were going to find a way to get this done. Most importantly, thank you to the fans. Not going to lie, you guys are some pretty harsh critics, but we appreciate it… Damn, New York, we really did it man. We really did it.”

12:59 PM | JUNE 18

Mike Brown’s thoughts

Brown noted that the players had signed contracts committing to sacrifice at the beginning of the season.

“You saw it every time we hit the floor… Our guys brought a competitive spirit that was unmatched, and that’s why we’re the 2026 NBA champions,” said Brown. “There’s nothing that’s better than walking into the iconic building of MSG, and getting down, night after night after night.”

He ended by leading the crowd in a moment of call-and-response: “Who let the dogs out? Who? Who? Who?”

12:33 PM | JUNE 18

The festivities begin at City Hall

ABC’s Mike Breen opens the proceedings with a reflection on the team.

“It’s my honor to be here to celebrate and honor one of the greatest teams in the history of New York sports,” said Breen. “A group of young men who played for each other, sacrificed for each other, and showed the heart and the grit of a champion.”

Among their accolades: A 16-3 record in the Playoffs. A 13-game winning streak. A 29-point comeback in the NBA Finals.

“Your dedication, your passion and your loyalty inspired this team,” said Breen to the fans in attendance.

12:30 PM | JUNE 18

A legend celebrates a legend

“I think that Jalen (Brunson) embodies the heart, the grit and the fight of this city,” said Law & Order SVU’s Mariska Hargitay. “The way he’s unified all of us — it’s so extraordinary.”

12:25 PM | JUNE 18

Scenes from the parade, part III

12:23 PM | JUNE 18

Give it up for Sonny Bridges

Mikal Bridges and his pup are enjoying the moment.

12:19 PM | JUNE 18

John Starks on the Knicks

The former All-Star and Kia Sixth Man of the Year is still fired up as the parade rolls on.

“They did something you can’t even dream of,” said Starks. “For all you doubters out there, this is for you!”

11:50 AM | JUNE 18

Jalen Brunson is vibing

The Knicks’ captain left the float in the Canyon of Heroes to walk with the fans, letting them touch the Larry O’Brien Trophy — “not my best idea, but it was fun” he said.

“(The crowd’s response) makes everything worth it,” said Brunson. “I can’t put it into words.”

11:46 AM | JUNE 18

Scenes from the parade, part II

11:44 AM | JUNE 18

Walt “Clyde” Frazier shares his thoughts

“The beginning of the parade, and the ovation people gave me — I (felt) goosebumps. I was thinking about The Captain (Willis Reed)… all the people who are not here to see this. They would be amazed,” said Frazier. “This has exceeded any expectations that we thought that we had… What the Knicks have done, not only in New York, but throughout the country… it’s just been a magnificent thing to witness.”

Frazier noted that the role players for this team were essential, like they were in 1973 — Hart and Bridges joining names like DeBusschere and Bradley.

11:38 AM | JUNE 18

Alvarado on the mic

11:34 AM | JUNE 18

The joy is palpable

11:28 AM | JUNE 18

Herb Williams reflects

Williams played seven years with the Knicks as part of an 18-year NBA career, reaching the Finals with New York in 1994 and 1999, then went on to serve as an assistant coach from 2003-2014, as well as the interim head coach in 2003-04 and 2004-05.

“It’s great for the City. I’m proud for the guys that were on the team,” he said. “(The players) stuck together… They got the city involved… It’s been a long time, but it’s here now…

“It’s going to mean everything (to the fans). It’s the dream of a lifetime… Hey, they brought it home.”

11:24 AM | JUNE 18

The Captain’s moment

11:19 AM | JUNE 18

A mother’s love

With Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” playing in the background, native New Yorker Sandra Brunson, Jalen Brunson’s mother, reflected with MSG’s Monica McNutt.

“It was all worth it. It was all worth it. A lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifice by all our family members. It was well worth it to see him live his dream,” she said. “In the words of Jalen, I have no words. It’s beautiful. I never imagined it. It was just a Mom wanting her son to fulfill his dreams, but it’s the biggest stage, and I’m so thankful.”

11:12 AM | JUNE 18

Hart: ‘It’s time to celebrate’

The Knicks’ x-factor took a moment from his whirlwind celebration to speak with MSG’s Alan Hahn.

“It’s a full-circle moment. This city embraced me. I ain’t perfect as a player by any means — they showed me love, they embraced me as one of their own,” said Hart. “I’m happy we were able to do this with them and celebrate with them.”

11:07 AM | JUNE 18

Ariel Hukporti rejoices in the moment

The Knicks’ backup center shared his feelings with MSG’s Alan Hahn, a longtime Knicks beat writer.

“I feel amazing,” he said. “I’m hoping they do it again. It’s one of the greatest feelings I’ve ever had in my entire world. You’ve been waiting your whole life; I’ve been waiting my whole career. We can both call ourselves champions now.”

10:57 AM | JUNE 18

Scenes from the parade

10:41 AM | JUNE 18

The King of New York

Captain Clutch. The 2026 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. The man of the hour.

Jalen Brunson’s in the streets of Manhattan today.

10:36 AM | JUNE 18

Carmelo reflects on the moment

“New York is, as they would say, lit, right now,” said Carmelo Anthony on MSG’s parade broadcast. “It’s a lot of players that came through this organization… that tried to do this, and tried to accomplish this right here. We all understand what it feels like to wear the weight of that jersey… I like to say ‘we all won…’ This was the build-up for this moment.”

The legends are celebrating today too.

10:30 AM | JUNE 18

A legendary guard

NBC4’s Bruce Beck compared Jalen Brunson to Allen Iverson and Nate “Tiny” Archibald — two of the premier scoring small guards in NBA history on their broadcast.

Archibald, a New York City native, was a playground legend, helping lead the Boston Celtics to the 1981 NBA championship. He was the All-Star Game MVP and an All-NBA Second Team member that season.

Iverson (29.7 ppg) holds the third-highest scoring average in Playoff scoring history. Brunson (26.0 ppg) is 20th — but has a ring on his resume, as we’re celebrating today.

10:20 AM | JUNE 18

The people are gathering

10:10 AM | JUNE 18

Mitch Rob is ready to cruise

10:07 AM | JUNE 18

Coach Brown greets the fans

People are lining the streets in Manhattan as the Knicks gather, ready for today’s excitement and celebration. Millions are expected to attend.

In addition to the current team, Carmelo Anthony and Patrick Ewing are in attendance, as the franchise celebrates with the city today.

7:31 AM | JUNE 18

How to watch the parade?

There will be several ways to watch or stream the parade, including via NBA.com or the NBA App.

On local TV, CBS 2, NBC 4, ABC 7, My9, MSG Network and SNY (regional) will air the event. Streaming options include Fubo and free streams available for U.S. viewers on New York’s local CBS, NBC, ABC 7 and Fox stations.

The office of Mayor Zohran Mamdani is broadcasting the scene outside of City Hall.

6:27 AM | JUNE 18

Everything you need to know to attend the Parade

Get your checklist for all things to know about the New York Knicks’ 2026 parade. The city of New York also lists recommendations if you plan to attend the parade.

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