Knicks celebrate two titles on banner night in New York
Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks celebrated two basketball titles Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. The ceremony marked the franchise’s first league crown since 1973 before a season-opening loss. The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the hosts 106-100 following the pregame festivities.
Players wore white uniforms with gold trim for the ring ceremony. Hall of Famer Walt Frazier handed out the championship rings. Brunson also wore gold sneakers on the court.
A blue banner reading “2025-26 World Champions” rose into the arena rafters. The team also raised a banner for winning the NBA Cup tournament. The franchise had declined to hang that tournament banner last December.
Brunson addressed the home crowd before tipoff. He reflected on the final moments of the championship year.
“Really special. Happy we got it out of the way and we can move on for now, but it was a really cool thing,” Brunson said.
The event was their first home appearance since Game 4 of the finals. Forward OG Anunoby made a decisive tip-in with 1.2 seconds left in that game. That shot completed a comeback from a 29-point deficit against the San Antonio Spurs.
The team clinched the series in the next matchup. Fans in New York revived chants of “Knicks in 5!” during the Tuesday pregame montage. The Knicks had also defeated San Antonio in the NBA Cup final.
“The joy that this city had this summer, we would love to replicate that again,” Brunson told the crowd.
Workers hoisted the tournament banner following Philadelphia’s morning shootaround at the venue. Coach Mike Brown described the banner as recognition for team resilience.
“There were a lot of, obviously, ups and downs throughout the course of the year, and our guys rallied and figured out a way to win the NBA Cup, and then you go ahead and win the regular season final, or excuse me, the end of season final, and it’s just a recognition to not just to our guys, but to the fans out there.”
The displays are the first banners the team has added since the 2012-13 Atlantic Division title. Team members turned their focus toward the new schedule.
“Like, we shouldn’t sit there and think that we’re champions, because we’re not,” forward Josh Hart said. “Right now we’re 0-1. We’re the worst team in the NBA, as of right now.”
Madison Square Garden serves as the home venue for professional basketball games in New York City. Teams hang commemorative banners inside arenas to mark official league achievements. Regular season openers begin the competitive schedule for all participating clubs.
Brunson noted the roster must move past the summer celebration. Players now aim to focus on future regular season games.
