New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson carried the NBA championship trophy with joy during their victory parade on Friday, June 19, 2026 (Philippine time), celebrating their 2025-26 NBA championship win the previous week. The New York Police Department and city officials estimated that approximately 2 million fans lined the streets of Lower Manhattan for the ticker-tape victory parade.
Historic Celebration
The event marked the largest celebration for New Yorkers as the Knicks reclaimed the NBA championship after a 53-year drought. The parade started near Battery Park, proceeded up Broadway along the "Canyon of Heroes," and ended at City Hall, where a traditional ceremony took place. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani presented the team with the keys to the city.
Mamdani stated that this success united all New Yorkers. "For 53 years, we watched. For 53 years, we waited. Now, we've won," Mamdani said.
Key Figures
Knicks leader Jalen Brunson, who was named NBA Finals MVP, delivered a message at City Hall. "New York, we really did it. Somehow, some way, I knew we were gonna find a way to get this done," Brunson said. He scored 45 points to lead the Knicks to victory in the championship-clinching Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs.
Coach Mike Brown credited all his players for the achievement, which marked the third NBA championship for the Knicks, following their titles in 1970 and 1973. "I'm proud of everybody for helping accomplish this great feat. The energy today, and all around New York, is off the charts," Brown said.
More than 10,000 police personnel were deployed to ensure security. According to the NYPD, this was the largest police deployment for a major event in the city.
