New York City came to a standstill Thursday as thousands took in the Knicks’ championship parade to commemorate the team’s first title in over half a century.
Here are some of the greatest scenes from the historic celebration, though many planning to attend were probably out of luck if they didn’t show up in the middle of the night to secure a spot.
4am in New York City … 6 hours before the Knicks parade pic.twitter.com/4AUrEdrGoc
— Harrison Sanford (@HarrisonSanford) June 18, 2026
The viewing pens for the New York Knicks NBA championship parade were FULL 2.5 hours before the event 😳
Watch New York’s NBA championship parade on ESPN2, the ESPN App and @ESPN X starting at 10am ET! pic.twitter.com/rVpt8BroS9
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 18, 2026
It was so crowded trying to get to the Knicks parade today I couldn’t even get OUT of the subway station for almost 30 minutes. pic.twitter.com/KAkAfdpRjj
— Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) June 18, 2026
The Jalen Brunson lookalike contest just happened in Washington Square Park and I quite honestly have never seen so many dopplegangers. @fox5ny pic.twitter.com/qByJ6Tay9F
— Meredith Gorman (@MereGorman) June 17, 2026
Once the parade got underway, however, that long wait quickly paid off for the throngs of fans flooding the streets of Manhattan.
NYC SCENES FROM ABOVE 😳
Fans in New York showed out for the Knicks championship parade 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JnoMUiGmvZ
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 18, 2026
The champs have arrived 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2IcHS3SFoV
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 18, 2026
“We brought the trophy home. Let’s party, baby, let’s party.” 🗣️
Jose Alvarado is PUMPED to be celebrating with the crowd 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Iy5847VZUh
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2026
Mike Brown wearing a “10 weeks” shirt
WHO LET THE DOGS OUT pic.twitter.com/Kw4pBSwUaR
— KnicksNation (@KnicksNation) June 18, 2026
Even Mitchell Robinson’s truck got to take part in the action.
Mitchell Robinson is LOVING the crowd at New York’s Championship Parade 🙌 pic.twitter.com/TUacu3Tz2u
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2026
Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared a true New York moment by dancing to the sounds of Bronx legend Fat Joe.
KAT and NYC Mayor Mamdani hit the “lean back” 😂 pic.twitter.com/vLBuZgRW1w
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 18, 2026
Mikal really brought his dog 😂 pic.twitter.com/LKxsBXnyDL
— KnicksNation (@KnicksNation) June 18, 2026
New York hoops icon and former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony wasn’t about to miss out either.
“New York is – as they would say – lit, right now!” 🗽🏆
Knicks icon Carmelo Anthony talks about the energy at the parade before a ride through the Canyon of Heroes! 🗽
Watch LIVE on NBA TV and the NBA App ⤵️https://t.co/keyu4sF4As pic.twitter.com/4F4POTFVkQ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 18, 2026
But it was no surprise who received some of the loudest chants Thursday: Finals MVP Jalen Brunson.
THE CAPTAIN 🫡
Confetti is falling as Jalen Brunson salutes the crowd with the @nbafinalstrophy! pic.twitter.com/G0zDIN5A7K
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2026
Brunson’s longtime pal Josh Hart, cigar in hand, celebrated with fans at the barricade while DMX’s “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” blared in the background.
Josh Hart living his best life 😂😭
(via @joshhart) pic.twitter.com/96COBKMhZP
— ESPN (@espn) June 18, 2026
The streets were so packed that food deliveries needed assistance getting through.
CHICK-FIL-A WILL NOT BE STOPPED 😂
(🎥:cam_kirkwood_/ig) pic.twitter.com/Z471tF9rgx
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 18, 2026
Cops mistook Tyler Kolek for a fan 😩 #alwaysknicks pic.twitter.com/7LxI29zahb
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) June 18, 2026
At one point, Brunson took to the pavement with the Larry O’Brien Trophy in tow. A mob of supporters surrounded him, resulting in some of the more lasting images from the event.
Jalen Brunson is on foot with the Larry O’Brien trophy 🏆 pic.twitter.com/1nzdp1l3FK
— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) June 18, 2026
New York Knicks NBA Finals MVP, Jalen Brunson walks the victory parade route with his MVP trophy in New York City, Thursday morning #newyorkcity #nyc #newyork @nyknicks #nyknicks @jalenbrunson1 #knicksparade pic.twitter.com/B47pXDKYrm
— Gary Hershorn (@GaryHershorn) June 18, 2026
The Knicks fans have taken over the city to celebrate the champs 🤩
(via @cassidyhubbarth) pic.twitter.com/DBoKlBUVVA
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) June 18, 2026
The Knicks faithful also made sure to shower Game 4 hero OG Anunoby with plenty of love, drawing big smiles from the normally stoic forward.
SOUND 🆙
New York showing love to OG Anunoby! pic.twitter.com/eQ4KdB36XR
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2026
The route ended at New York City Hall, where the team received keys to the city to cap off the festivities.
Knicks players had their jerseys raised onto City Hall 🙌 pic.twitter.com/LYs5WXbZFU
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 18, 2026
Mamdani opened the presentation with an impassioned speech, name-dropping several iconic Knicks moments of years past in the process.
“For 53 long years we have watched the New York Knicks and waited …” 🗣
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani opens up the Knicks parade pic.twitter.com/aN9EE2O9il
— ESPN (@espn) June 18, 2026
Brunson then got the last word in, taking aim at his critics in a mic-drop moment.
“There’s a lot of people that have a lot of opinions. But when you prove them wrong, you don’t have to say s— to them.”
Jalen Brunson with a message 😤 pic.twitter.com/bBOiVtRnpE
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 18, 2026
Jalen Brunson is given his key to the city as fans break into an “MVP” chant 🏆 pic.twitter.com/j2ikO9wcrd
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2026