The Knicks have finally done it.
They’ve brought a championship back to New York City, their first since 1973, ending a long string of disappointing results and playoff flameouts.
How will their 2026 NBA championship compare with other New York pro sports titles? Will Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby — the Knicks’ playoff heroes — stand alongside the Derek Jeters, the Eli Mannings, and the Joe Namaths of the world?
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy and New York Knicks owner James Dolan after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy and New York Knicks owner James Dolan after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks lifts the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy and his father Rick Brunson after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks lifts the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Head coach Mike Brown of the New York Knicks is interviewed by Ernie Johnson Jr. after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks holds the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: New York Knicks owner James Dolan and president Leon Rose lift the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after their team defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks lifts the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: New York Knicks owner James Dolan and president Leon Rose lift the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after their team defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy, New York Knicks owner James Dolan, and his father Rick Brunson after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks lifts the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: New York Knicks owner James Dolan is interviewed by Ernie Johnson Jr. after his team’s victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: New York Knicks owner James Dolan and president Leon Rose celebrate behind the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after their team defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks celebrate after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks celebrate after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks and his father Rick Brunson embrace after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Head coach Mike Brown of the New York Knicks is interviewed by Ernie Johnson Jr. after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Knicks players celebrate NBA title in unforgettable photos
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: Timothée Chalamet celebrates after the New York Knicks’ victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
Let’s look back at some other significant championships in New York sports history:
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New York Liberty, 2024 WNBA Championship
Jonquil Jones and the New York Liberty go up the Canyon of Heroes as fans cheer during the ticker-tape parade held in their honor, Thursday, October 24, 2024, in Manhattan. The Liberty won the WNBA Championship on Sunday.
The Liberty won their first-ever WNBA title in 2024 via a Game 5 victory over the Minnesota Lynx. Following Gotham FC’s NWSL championship in 2023, it marked a continued resurgence of women’s sports in the Big Apple. The Liberty were one of the WNBA’s three original founding franchises in 1997, yet finally claimed their first title 27 years later.
NYCFC, 2021 MLS Cup
NYCFC celebrates with the MLS Cup trophy.
Like the Liberty, NYCFC’s 2021 MLS Cup win — which it claimed in penalties over the Portland Timbers — was the club’s first in its history. NYCFC achieved the Cup in just its seventh season as a franchise, one of the quickest ascensions in the league’s history.
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(L-R) From the 2007 Super Bowl XLII winning team, Michael Strahan, Antonio Pierce, head coach Tom Coughlin, Jeff Feagles, and Shaun O’Hara stand on the stage during the ceremony. New York Giants against the Detroit Lions in their home opener on Monday, September 18, 2017 in East Rutherford.
In the first of two battles between the Giants and Patriots, New York took down a goliath in that undefeated New England squad in Super Bowl XLII. The Giants won 17-14, capped by an 83-yard, game-winning drive that featured the David Tyree helmet catch and Plaxico Burress’ go-ahead touchdown.
New York Yankees, 1996 World Series
Yankees closer John Wetteland, celebrating after winning the 1996 World Series, was acquired in a 1995 trade with the Montreal Expos.
The Yankees’ 1996 World Series win over the Atlanta Braves in six games ended their 18-year title drought and sparked the beginning of one of the biggest modern dynasties in Major League Baseball history. It also marked the start of the Core Four’s run — Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada — who racked up four World Series wins from 1996-2000.
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New York Rangers Mark Messier, Adam Graves, Mike Richter, Brian Leetch, Steve Larmer and Kevin Lowe take turns lifting the Stanley Cup on the lead float as over a million fans lined the Canyon of Heroes on Broadway during the Rangers ticker-tape parade June 17, 1994. A few days earlier the Rangers defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 in Game 7 to win the cup.
The Rangers claimed the 1994 Stanley Cup in a seven-game series against the Vancouver Canucks. With their 3-2 win in Game 7, the Rangers snagged their first title in 54 years still their only championship over the last 80 years. Similar to the Knicks’ run, the title was a unifying moment for New York sports fans.
New York Islanders, 1983 Stanley Cup
UNIONDALE, NY – MARCH 02: Former New York Islanders legend Denis Potvin carries the Stanley Cup before the game against the Florida Panthers at the Nassau Coliseum March 2, 2008 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders are celebrating the 17 men that were part of all four Stanley Cup winning teams from 1980-1983. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
In 1983, the Islanders became just the second NHL team to win four straight Stanley Cups. They did it in dominant fashion, sweeping the Wayne Gretzky-led Edmonton Oilers to cement their dynasty. It was also their 19th consecutive playoff series win, a North American professional record that still stands today.
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New York Mets, 1969 World Series
Tom Seaver is introduced during the presentation commemorating the New York Mets 40th anniversary of the 1969 World Series championship team in 2009 at Citi Field in New York.
After the Mets’ inaugural season in 1962, they finally escaped the cellar by winning the 1969 World Series. The Mets entered the season as 100-1 underdogs, and even when they made the World Series, they were heavily favored to lose, but the “Miracle Mets” beat the Baltimore Orioles in five games for their first of two World Series in franchise history.
New York Jets, 1969 Super Bowl III
Jan 12, 1969; Miami ,FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Jets quarterback (12) JOE NAMATH in action during Super Bowl III against the Baltimore Colts at the Orange Bowl. The Jets defeated the Colts 16-7 giving the AFL their first Championship over the NFL. Namath was named the games most valuable player going 17-28 for 206 yards. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
The earliest championship on this list, the Jets’ 1969 Super Bowl win paved the way for the National Football League as we know it today. After the NFL’s Green Bay Packers won the first two Super Bowls, the Jets — of the rival American Football League — defeated the NFL’s Baltimore Colts 16-7, led by Namath under center. The win proved the AFL was legit and led to the two leagues’ eventual merger.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Where the Knicks’ 2026 NBA title stands in New York sports history