53 years of waiting ends in glory at Knicks' championship parade

A sometimes-raucous crowd estimated at more than 1 million people lined the streets of Manhattan on Thursday for a championship parade more than five decades in the making, as the New York Knicks celebrated their NBA title.

Franchise legends, including Patrick Ewing, rode in convertibles through the Canyon of Heroes, waving to cheering fans. The celebration reached its peak when captain and NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson emerged with the team. Brunson briefly stepped off his vehicle to walk the parade route with his wife and daughter, holding the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

Most of the Knicks players walked part of the route toward City Hall, which was decorated with banners featuring their names and numbers. Along the way, they greeted fans before being formally presented with the keys to the city by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The ceremony featured a performance by Alicia Keys, who sang “Empire State of Mind,” while Karl-Anthony Towns later took the microphone to lead the crowd in “New York, New York.”

Celebrity fans also joined the festivities, including Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan, Ben Stiller, Mariska Hargitay and Timothée Chalamet. Martha Stewart was seen taking a photo with Brunson as the celebration continued throughout downtown Manhattan.

Mayor Mamdani addressed the crowd, reflecting on decades of anticipation since the franchise’s last championship in 1973. He described how generations of fans endured the long wait, watching games from packed bars, apartment windows and street-side screens, always holding onto hope.

He also highlighted the Knicks’ comeback spirit during the Finals, recalling their 29-point rally in Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs. At one point in the series-deciding game, analytics gave the Spurs a 99.6% chance of winning, but the Knicks overcame the odds to clinch the title on the road.

“What is New York if not 99.6% of the world stacked against you?” Mamdani said. “For 53 years we watched, for 53 years we waited. Now we’ve won.”

Team president Leon Rose praised head coach Mike Brown for guiding the franchise to the championship in his six-year tenure with the organization, crediting both his leadership and the coaching staff’s commitment.

Brown, however, deflected individual praise and emphasized the collective effort behind the title run.

“I’m so proud of our guys from top to bottom,” Brown said. “There was a lot of hard work that went into this season, starting in the offseason and continuing throughout the year. Everyone contributed — players, staff, and medical team — all working to keep us healthy and prepared.”

Along the championship path, the Knicks also faced criticism and doubt from analysts and former players who questioned their ability to contend for a title. Some remarks resurfaced during the Finals, including past comments suggesting limitations based on roster construction.

Brunson, speaking with his MVP trophy nearby, embraced the moment and the skepticism that fueled the team’s journey.

“There were a lot of people with opinions,” Brunson said. “But when you prove them wrong, you don’t need to say anything more. The results speak for themselves.” -Field Level Media/Reuters