Celebrities and politicians celebrate New York Knicks' first NBA title since 1973
The New York Knicks captured the 2026 NBA championship, prompting celebrations from Hollywood figures, former presidents and city officials.
The New York Knicks clinched their first NBA championship since 1973 with a 94-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 Finals. The decisive game was played at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, and the victory marked the Knicks' first Finals appearance since 1999.
Several well-known fans were seen on the court after the win, including filmmaker Spike Lee, actor Timothée Chalamet and actor Ben Stiller. Chalamet embraced Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns and told ESPN’s SportsCenter that he would rather watch the game than the Oscars. Stiller, wearing a Knicks 2026 NBA Champions t-shirt, said he felt “as happy as I’ve ever felt.”
Towns also shared an embrace with his fiancée Jordyn Woods, who had attended the game with a lucky orange purse. Woods told reporters she was “excited” and “nervous” before the game and emphasized staying humble amid the celebration.
Former President Barack Obama and current President Donald J. Trump each issued statements congratulating the team. Knicks owner James Dolan apologized to New Yorkers for the long wait, saying, “Hey, New York, I’m sorry it took so long, but here we are and hopefully it won’t take that long again!”
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that a championship parade would be held Thursday in Manhattan. The city’s landmarks, including the Empire State Building, were illuminated in orange and blue, and fans across New York City gathered for watch parties.
Other celebrities spotted at the finals included actors and comedians such as Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Pete Davidson, Adam Sandler, Jay-Z, Jimmy Fallon, Michael J. Fox, Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld, Mariska Hargitay and, in earlier games, Taylor Swift. Hargitay, a Knicks supporter, praised the team’s comeback in a statement to the press.
The win concluded a series in which the Knicks rallied from a 3-1 deficit, achieving the largest comeback in NBA Finals history with a 107-106 victory in Game 4 before sealing the title in Game 5.