New York Knicks win first NBA championship in 53 years, celebrities and fans celebrate across the city
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 on Saturday night to capture their first NBA championship since 1973, sparking celebrations from a city’s worth of famous fans.
The drought ends
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday night, capturing their first NBA championship since 1973. The win sealed a 4-1 series victory and gave the franchise its third title overall. The arena in San Antonio emptied quickly as Spurs fans filed out, but watch parties across New York City erupted in joy.
Famous fans react
Timothée Chalamet, who was in the arena, told ESPN’s SportsCenter
after hugging Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns on the court. The actor, a fixture on the Knicks’ celebrity row all postseason, later joined Ben Stiller and Spike Lee in the locker room for the champagne celebration. Cardi B, watching from her basement, posted a video yellingway rather this than the Oscars
and later took to the streets with Travis Scott. Jennifer Lopez shared a social media video alongside her messageWe won! We fucking won!
We have all been waiting patiently for this day for years.
Citywide street parties
In Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, thousands poured into the streets. Comedian Stavros Halkias handed out pizza slices. Vulture reported 63 arrests amid dancing on buses and the dabke to Rihanna. New York City Mayor Zohran Mandani, who had coordinated several watch parties throughout the playoffs, celebrated the title as a unifying moment for the city.
Political leaders extend congratulations
President Donald Trump, who attended the only Knicks loss in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, singled out owner James Dolan and point guard Jalen Brunson in a congratulatory message. Former president Barack Obama pointed to the team’s resilience after dropping Game 3 of the first round against Atlanta and then winning 15 of its next 16 games. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a lifelong New Yorker, reacted to the victory on social media.
A finals for the ages
The Knicks’ run included the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history in Wednesday’s Game 4, when they erased a large deficit to win 107-106. The series drew record viewership, with courtside appearances from Taylor Swift, Dave Chappelle, Jay-Z and Mariska Hargitay, who attended Game 4 alongside Swift. Even Bruce Springsteen ended his Tribeca Festival set with “Go Knicks.” After 53 years, New York’s basketball faithful finally had their moment.
