New York Knicks celebrated with a Parade of Champions
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- The New York Knicks celebrated their first NBA championship in 53 years with a ticker-tape parade through Manhattan's "Canyon of Heroes," drawing thousands of fans dressed in the team's blue and orange.
The team ended a 53-year championship title drought in dominant fashion - posting a 16-3 playoff record to secure their first title since 1973.
Jalen Brunson held the golden NBA championship trophy up for a forest of outstretched hands to touch as fans celebrated.
"It makes everything worth it," Brunson, the team captain and finals MVP, said. "I can't put it into words."
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Confetti in the Knicks' blue and orange swirled through the air. Massive cheers of "Let's go, Knicks!" erupted as the trophy float got close to City Hall, the ticker-tape parade's finish line, where players receivd keys to the city.
"Damn, New York, we really did it," Brunson, the finals MVP, said at a celebration at City Hall. "Somehow, someway, I knew we were going to find a way to get this done."
Moments later, Mayor Zohran Mamdani presented keys to the city to the Knicks' players, coaches, owners and staff. Wearing a team jersey under his suit jacket, Mamdani said he and other fans "waited because we knew deep down in our sick, suffering hearts" the Knicks would someday win.
Fans even lined up on the pedestrian walkway over the Brooklyn Bridge, where they were not close enough to see the parade or the ceremony at City Hall but would be close enough to hear it over loudspeakers.
Film director Spike Lee, perhaps the team's most iconic fan, was on a float with Brunson, savoring the moment. "I've never been to a parade - ever - and I'm glad it's this one," Lee said.
The MVP's mom, Sandra Brunson, wore a shirt with photos of Jalen and husband Rick, who played for the Knicks. She echoed her son's words, saying: "It was all worth it."
Several blocks from the parade route, fans stood shoulder to shoulder - sometimes on each other's shoulders - or climbed traffic lights, sanitation trucks or Knicks-colored buckets they'd brought from home.
"I had to be here today," said Shareefa Wallace, 34, who got up at 3 a.m. to make her way from suburban Long Island. She grew up in the city going to Knicks games, and she sported the souvenir jersey of one of the legends from that era, Patrick Ewing.
Knicks legend Walt "Clyde" Frazier - a member of the '70s champion teams - led off the parade, riding along in style in a convertible and wearing his NBA title rings. Frazier had late teammates and coaches on his mind.
"They would be amazed at what has happened to the Knicks and how they've really captivated the city this year," Frazier said. "This has exceeded any expectations I ever thought that we'd have."
The Knicks' parade is the 210th, coming after a ticker-tape bash for the WNBA's New York Liberty in 2024.
AP Wire Services contributed to this report
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