Knicks parade: Broadway renamed "Champions Way" to celebrate the new kings of New York

More than a million people flooded Lower Manhattan Thursday morning to celebrate the Knicks' first NBA title since 1973. For the occasion, the iconic avenue was temporarily renamed "Champions Way," adorned with large orange and blue banners along its entire route. A testament to the exceptional fervor that gripped the city, the first fans began lining up before 4 a.m., and by 8 a.m., all viewing areas were already completely packed, hours before the official start of the parade.

The atmosphere intensified as the floats carrying the champions paraded through a delirious crowd. Laughing, forward Josh Hart captured one of the day's most memorable images by smoking a giant victory cigar from the top of his vehicle. The prized trophies from this historic season were prominently displayed along the route: the prestigious Larry O'Brien Trophy and the Eastern Conference Championship Cup were proudly held aloft by Karl-Anthony Towns and leader Jalen Brunson, who also sported his Finals MVP award. Longtime fans and director Spike Lee alike savored this historic moment.

The highlight of the celebrations took place at midday during the official ceremony at City Hall. Before a select few—more than 340,000 fans had entered the lottery for only 600 available tickets—Mayor Zohran Mamdani presented the prestigious Keys to the City to the entire roster. Last to take the podium, point guard and Finals MVP Jalen Brunson delivered a memorable speech, declaring first with emotion, “New York, we really did it, guys. We really did it. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” Addressing the critics and skeptics directly, he then added to thunderous applause, “There are a lot of people who have a lot of negative things to say. There are a lot of people who have a lot of opinions.” But when you prove them wrong, you have absolutely nothing to say to them.

The triumph ended in apotheosis under a massive shower of confetti with a surprise performance by Alicia Keys - originally from NY - who came to perform the city's iconic anthem, "Empire State of Mind", making the heart of New York vibrate one last time.