New York celebrates Knicks' first title in 53 years with ticker-tape parade

The long-awaited victory

New York City erupted Saturday when the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, capturing the franchise's third championship and its first since 1973. The win capped a dominant playoff run with 15 victories in 16 games and set off both jubilant street celebrations and scattered incidents. A 17-year-old was shot in the foot and a World Cup shuttle bus was set on fire, while tens of thousands sang the unofficial city anthem "Empire State of Mind" into the night.

A first parade in franchise history

Despite winning titles in 1970 and 1973, the Knicks never received a ticker-tape parade. Then-Mayor John Lindsay cut back on the extravaganzas for financial reasons, and his public events commissioner, former Knick Bud Palmer, complained of "monotonous similarity and lack of imagination." The 1970 team got a reception at Gracie Mansion and the 1973 squad a jammed City Hall ceremony. Thursday therefore marks the first parade in the team's 80-year existence.

Crowds overwhelm Lower Manhattan

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch ordered the deployment of 10,000 officers, and viewing pens along Broadway's "Canyon of Heroes" opened at 6 a.m. By 7:30 a.m., the NYPD announced all pens were full, turning away thousands of frustrated fans. Some chanted "Let us in!" as the department tweeted that no one else would be admitted. The sheer crush prompted the police to call it the largest planned-event deployment ever.

The entrepreneurial spirit on the sidewalks

New Yorkers found ways to monetize the moment. Samuel Powell, 30, was paid about $600 to hold a spot from midnight to 7 a.m., posting his services on Airtasker. Same Ole Line Dudes, a professional line-sitting company, charged $25 per hour plus a $15 overnight fee, while some independent ads on Wednesday listed rates up to $1,000 for two people. The Downtown Alliance delivered 2,500 pounds of shredded paper to 22 buildings, leaving tenants to rain confetti on the procession.

Star power and legends

Singer Alicia Keys will perform the 2009 hit "Empire State of Mind," a song that became an impromptu victory anthem after the clinching game.

How could I not?

she said in a social media video featuring a call with Knicks forward OG Anunoby. Knicks legends Walt "Clyde" Frazier and Patrick Ewing are expected to join the parade, and MSG Network play-by-play announcer Mike Breen will emcee the City Hall ceremony where Mayor Mamdani presents keys to the city. Six hundred lottery-selected fans will attend that ceremony.