Knicks championship parade: Route, start time, live updates, how to watch and more as New York celebrates first NBA Finals win since 1973
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Yahoo Sports StaffThu, Jun 18, 2026The New York Knicks celebrated the team's first NBA championship since 1973 with a ticker-tape parade on Thursday. It marks the first championship parade in franchise history despite the team's three previous title wins, making it a novel experience for fans of all ages.
The Knicks closed out the NBA Finals with a 4-1 series win over the San Antonio Spurs last week thanks to a clutch run from star point guard Jalen Brunson, which culminated in a 45-point performance in Game 5 that more than earned his title of NBA Finals MVP.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Knicks parade started at 10 a.m. ET in Lower Manhattan near Battery Park. The route extended up Broadway to New York City Hall, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani presented the team the keys to the city in a ticketed ceremony. If the early celebrations (and subsequent chaos) were any indication, Manhattan was prepared for the parade of a lifetime.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest from the Knicks championship parade.
Thu, June 18, 2026 at 11:35 AM PDTRyan Young
Mariska Hargitay, Carmelo join the parade
Law & Order: SVU’s Mariska Hargitay, who was seated on the floor at both of the Knicks’ NBA Finals games at MSG, made it to City Hall today.
Carmelo Anthony joined in, to.
Thu, June 18, 2026 at 11:18 AM PDTChris Cwik
Jalen Brunson shares trophy with fans
Knicks star Jalen Brunson took a moment Thursday to celebrate his team’s championship with the fans.
Amid the celebration, Brunson held out the trophy so fans could touch it.
It was a fun and exciting gesture from the Finals MVP.
Mike Brown leads New York in brief rendition of 'Who Let the Dogs Out'
Knicks coach Mike Brown loved every minute of his team’s championship parade. To close out his speech to the city, Brown led fans on a “Who Let the Dogs Out” chant.
They obliged, and Jalen Brunson loved it.
AdvertisementAdvertisementNYPD stops Tyler Kolek, assumes he's a fan
Tyler Kolek is an NBA champion. Problem is, someone forgot to tell the NYPD.
New York police officers briefly tried to stop Kolek from being part of the team’s celebration Thursday.
After he was briefly stopped, cooler heads prevailed, and officers were apparently convinced Kolek was on the team.
Kolek poked fun at the sitaution on X, saying he promises he’s a member of the team.
New York is blue and orange thanks to the Knicks
The entire city of New York turned blue and orange Thursday after tons of Knicks-colored confetti fell from the sky at the team’s championship parade.
It made for quite the scene.
Jalen Brunson got all the love from Knicks fans at parade
Given everything he did in the years leading up to the Knicks’ championship — and then the way he performed when the title was on the line — Jalen Brunson was a beloved figure at the team’s championship parade Thursday.
Fans made sure to chant his name and point out that he won the MVP award during the NBA Finals at every opportunity.
AdvertisementAdvertisementKnicks dance and sing along to Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys made an appearance at the Knicks’ championship parade, singing “Emire State of Mind. Both Knicks players and fans got into the performance, singing and dancing along with Keys as she belted out the lyrics.
Knicks awarded keys to the city
The 2025-26 Knicks will never be forgotten in New York. But in case the team needed that reminder, Mayor Zohran Mamdani awarded each player with a key to the city.
Jalen Brunson thanks Knicks organization, teammates and fans
Jalen Brunson addressed Knicks fans at the team’s championship parade Thursday. Brunson gave thanks to everyone who helped the team win the title, including his teammates and the team’s fans.
It was a somewhat subdued speech from Brunson, who ended his statement with, “We really did it.
AdvertisementAdvertisementJalen Brunson dunks on his critics one more time
Jalen Brunson finally got his ring. Now, he’s willing to talk a little smack about those who doubted him along the way.
Brunson took the team’s championship parade as an opportunity to dunk on his haters, per Fred Katz.
“There's a lot of people who have a lot of negative stuff to say. There's a lot of people who have their own opinions. But when you prove them wrong, you don't have to say s*** to them. They don't deserve it."
Brunson wasn’t the only one to fire off some shots. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani talked about the team’s incredible Game 4 comeback, saying the team and city are different when they are counted out.
Mike Breen introduces the Knicks at City Hall
Long-time Knicks broadcaster Mike Breen had a role to play in the team’s championship parade Thursday. When the team arrived at City Hall, it was Breen who introduced the players to the city.
As you might expect, Knicks fans greeted the team with loud cheers.
Mikal Bridges introduces his dog to the world
Mikal Bridges’ dog seems to be having a fine time at the Knicks’ championship parade. Bridges introduced his dog Sonny to the world Thursday, saying, “That’s my son right there.”
Bridges continued, “He take care of me. I take care of him.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementBen Stiller appears at parade
Knicks super fan Ben Stiller showed up in support of the team Thursday and made sure to throw up five fingers to remind fans that the Knicks won in five games.
OG Anunoby gets love from Knicks fans, Jose Alvarado tells them its time to party
OG Anunoby is hearing if from Knicks fans after helping his team beat the Spurs in the Finals. Anunoby got a big cheer from fans as he appeared on one of the team’s parade floats.
Jose Alvarado got into the act too, telling fans it was time to party.
Jalen Brunson, father Rick hoist trophy in front of fans
The Knicks’ championship was sweet for MVP Jalen Brunson in multiple ways. Not only did he lead the team to a title, but he got to do it with his dad.
Rick Brunson has served as an assistant coach with the team since 2022. Together, the two lifted up the championship trophy in front of fans Thursday.
AdvertisementAdvertisementJosh Hart loves New York
Knicks forward Josh Hart is having a great time at the championship parade. After taking a video of himself running next to Knicks fans, Hart took a moment to let the city know how much he appreciates it.
There’s not much more that need to be said.
City Hall dressed up in Knicks jerseys
Need even more evidence that the Knicks mean everything to New York? Take a look at City Hall on parade day:
Of course Timothée Chalamet turned up at the Knicks parade
Celebrity row was a major focus of the Knicks' championship, so it should come as no surprise that members of celebrity row showed up at the team's parade.
One of those celebrities was Timothée Chalamet, who really enjoyed watching his favorite team win it all.
He kept up that energy Thursday at the parade.
AdvertisementAdvertisementMike Brown pays homage to James Dolan with shirt
Knicks coach Mike Brown has been waiting over a decade for this moment. Brown celebrated at the team’s championship parade Thursday by singing “Who Let the Dogs Out” with fans.
He also paid homage to team owner James Dolan with Brown’s “10 weeks” shirt.
That’s a reference to Dolan allegedly telling the team to avoid coitus for 10 weeks during its playoff run.
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Spike Lee having the time of his life
One of the biggest Knicks fan got to sit on Jalen Brunson’s float at the championship parade.
Filmmaker Spike Lee was ecstatic to be at the event, making sure to note that it was his first-ever parade.
