New Yorkers celebrate Knicks historic win with massive parade
New York Knicks fans took to the streets on June 18 for a parade to celebrate the team’s historic championship win.
Among the sea of orange and blue at the New York Knicks’ championship parade were a number of famous faces, from longtime mega fans like Spike Lee to born-and-bred New York celebrities.
Following the Knicks’ win that ended a 53-year drought on June 13 with their first NBA championship title since 1973, teammates including NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart were joined by celebrity fans as they celebrated their win with a ticker-tape parade through the streets of New York City.
Proud New Yorkers Mary J. Blige, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan, Ben Stiller and Fat Joe were among the stars who were seen on floats and along the sidelines as the procession made its way north on Broadway from near Battery Park to City Hall. The Wu-Tang Clan headlined a float-top performance, where they were joined by Blige, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Ja Rule, Teyana Taylor and Yung Miami, among others.
Stiller, who had a courtside view of the Knicks’ postseason run, was spotted recording fans from atop a float. He was wearing a Karl-Anthony Towns T-shirt and Knicks ballcap.
Chalamet, riding on top of a bus in an orange Knicks zip-up, hyped up the crowd on the mic and led a “Knicks in five” chant. At one point, he was also seen on foot with a police escort and high-fiving fans on the parade route.
Brooklyn’s own Lee, a courtside fixture at Madison Garden for four decades who witnessed the 94-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, said in an interview that he was “blessed to be here.” He rode on one of the floats with Brunson.
“I’ve never been to a parade, ever. And I’m glad it’s this one!” Lee said. A 13-year-old Lee witnessed the Knicks win their first trophy during the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers in 1970.
Morgan, a fellow lifelong Knicks fan, was also seen on Brunson’s float.
Jordyn Woods, Rama Duwaji stand out with their Knicks fashion
Jordyn Woods, who is engaged to Towns, made sure to bring her “lucky” orange clutch for the occasion. She also had “Mrs. Towns” emblazoned on the back of her white pants, which she paired with a fitted jersey paying homage to her fiancé.
Martha Stewart, who was born in Jersey City, in an Instagram post described having a “complicated journey” to the parade in which she left Bedford at 6 a.m., met Knicks owner James Dolan at Madison Square Garden then boarded a bus with Knicks family members to grab breakfast downtown. She later followed up with a view of fans from on top of a double-decker bus on the parade route.
When the team – led by Coach Mike Brown – arrived at City Hall to receive the Larry O’Brien Trophy, Mayor Zohran Mamdani bestowed upon them honorary keys to the city. Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, was stylish in a custom, locally sourced Knicks-inspired ensemble comprising a one-shoulder, draped dress from Miss Claire Sullivan that is made of tied upcycled Knicks T-shirts and a voluminous black midi skirt.
Mariska Hargitay also took part in the City Hall Plaza festivities, where Alicia Keys serenaded the crowd with Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind.”
Contributing: Morgan Evans, USA TODAY