New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani capped off the spectacular celebrations for the New York Knicks’ historic NBA championship on Thursday by presenting the team with the keys to the city on the steps of City Hall amid a huge party.
It was the grand finale—along with Alicia Keys’ brief concert—to a long-awaited triumphant parade following a drought of more than half a century. “We’ve been waiting for 53 years. Now we’ve won,” said the mayor, adding that although it took a while, “deep down in their hearts” New Yorkers knew this moment would come.
New York Celebrates Its Championship Heroes
View this post on Instagram
According to the young mayor, “The New York Knicks didn’t just win for New York City—they won as New York City.”
For his part, point guard Jalen Brunson, the team’s captain, thanked the thousands of fans who showed their support day after day.
“Even though they can be ‘really critical’ sometimes,” he joked.
Brunson, the Finals MVP, thanked the Knicks for believing in him “when few others did” and dedicated the victory to the fans and his family.
For the occasion, City Hall was covered with the names and numbers of the New York team’s players and a big message:
“2026 NBA Champions.”
Amid the team’s orange and blue, several Puerto Rican flags also stood out in the crowd to celebrate Puerto Rican player José Alvarado.
Music, excitement, and confetti at the historic celebration
View this post on Instagram
The master of ceremonies was Mike Breen, the longtime play-by-play announcer for the New York Knicks.
And the person chosen to sing the national anthem was Avery Wilson, known as a “good-luck charm” for the team.
Meanwhile, Alicia Keys performed “Empire State of Mind,” one of the Big Apple’s anthems and a song that was very popular among fans during the Finals, accompanied by her son.
The players were very excited by the performance and even presented the artist with the keys to the city they had just received.
The event ended with a shower of confetti in the team’s colors, which match those of the New York flag: blue, orange, and white.
Wall Street Became Knicks Territory
View this post on Instagram
Several New York political figures attended the event.
Such as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, State Governor Kathy Hochul, and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
From early in the morning, the iconic Wall Street financial district was transformed into a sea of people, with thousands of fans dressed in blue and orange.
They took to the streets to welcome their idols in a parade that wound its way from Battery Park along Broadway, through the traditional “Cannon of Heroes,” and ended at City Hall.
The areas open to the public filled up first thing in the morning.
According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), by approximately 7:25 a.m., new fans were no longer being allowed in because the route had reached capacity.
Now we win
Zohran Mamdani
They’re already setting their sights on the White House
View this post on Instagram
The New Yorkers’ victory over the San Antonio Spurs has settled a historic score:
Although the New York Knicks won the championship twice in the 1970s, the city had never held a parade for them on either occasion.
To ensure the safety of this historic civic celebration, the Police Department devised a security plan involving the deployment of 10,000 officers along the parade route.
Authorities sought to maintain order after several weeks in which the euphoria over the team’s winning streak had, at times, led to chaotic street celebrations and sporadic outbreaks of violence.
According to NBC News, the New York Knicks will visit the White House to celebrate their NBA championship.
This comes after they received an official invitation from the Administration, although the details of the meeting have yet to be finalized.
With information from EFE
For more information, visit NuevaOnda.com