New York celebrates Knicks championship with citywide parade and mayoral ceremony

A crowd of roughly 10,000 people lined the traditional "Canyon of Heroes" route in Manhattan on Thursday morning as the New York Knicks held a victory parade following their first NBA championship in 53 years. The procession ended at City Hall Park, where a ceremony awarded the team the keys to the city.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, wearing a Knicks jersey, addressed the assembled fans, noting the city’s long wait for a title and emphasizing the community spirit the win fostered. He quoted player Jalen Brunson’s remarks about confronting adversity and highlighted the historic significance of the championship for New Yorkers of all ages.

Former players and local celebrities, including former Knicks star Walt "Clyde" Frazier and radio host Evan Roberts, appeared on the floats. The event featured performances by rapper Fat Joe and a rendition of "New York State of Mind" by Alicia Keys. Security presence was extensive, with about 10,000 officers deployed to manage the crowds.

Fans received commemorative items such as the city’s keys and a trophy presentation, while lottery winners were invited to the ceremony after a citywide drawing that attracted over 300,000 entries. The celebration concluded with confetti showers in the team’s orange and blue colors.