New York Knicks fans flooded the streets of lower Manhattan on Thursday for the first championship parade in franchise history. And just as they did throughout the playoffs, many of the team’s celebrity fans turned out to celebrate their 2026 NBA title — and the end of a 53-year championship drought.
Among the luminaries were Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, Mariska Hargitay, Edie Falco, Jon Stewart, Martha Stewart, Steve Schirripa, Matthew Modine, Teyana Taylor and Ja Rule.
Some took part in the parade itself as passengers on the dozens of floats that made their way along the Canyon of Heroes to City Hall.
Ben Stiller shakes hands with fans as he arrives at the parade.
(AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
Stiller, who is directing an HBO documentary series about the Knicks, was on one.
Chalamet — who like Stiller attended all five games of the NBA Finals, including three in San Antonio — led parade-goers in a “Let’s Go Knicks” chant atop one of the double-decker buses.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a lifelong Knicks fan, rode on a float with star center Karl Anthony Towns and forward OG Anunoby.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Knicks forward OG Anunoby wave to the crowd.
(Angelina Katsanis via Getty Images)
On Fat Joe’s hip-hop float were Mary J. Blige, Jadakiss, Fabolous, the Wu-Tang Clan and, of course, Fat Joe himself.
Mary J. Blige, Havoc and Fat Joe ride on a float.
(Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images)
Lee rode on a float with NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson.
Spike Lee sits before the Knicks championship rally at City Hall.
(AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Former Knicks players were also there, including Patrick Ewing, Carmelo Anthony, Latrell Sprewell, Larry Johnson, Amar’e Stoudemire, Allan Houston, Stephon Marbury, John Starks and Walt Frazier, who was a member of the 1970 and 1973 NBA championship teams.
Knicks legend Walt Frazier waves to his fans.
(Angelina Katsanis via Getty Images)
Those teams never got a parade. But Frazier, who serves as a color commentator for Knicks games on the MSG Network, was in the first car for Thursday’s procession.
Many of the VIPs took buses from Madison Square Garden to get downtown for the parade. One of them was packed with celebrities and former Knicks.
Martha Stewart said on Instagram that she left her home in Bedford, N.Y., at 6 a.m. to make it on time.
At City Hall, Mamdani presented ceremonial keys to the city to Knicks players, coaches and staff, including owner James Dolan. (Spike Lee did not receive one.)
Alicia Keys then took the stage to perform Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind” and her own “Empire State of Mind.”
“We’ve been waiting over 50 years for this moment,” Keys said. “And we’re never gonna stop.”