The New York Knicks are National Basketball Association champions for the first time in 53 years. After winning the 2026 NBA Finals series on Saturday, June 13 against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio, Texas, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced that the city will host a ticker-tape parade and City Hall ceremony for the Knicks on Thursday, June 18.The mayor’s office added that the celebration will be the first ticker-tape parade in Knicks history.The latest: Sports coverage from WPBF 25 NewsThe team will also be honored with a ceremony at New York City Hall and will be awarded “Keys to the City.”“For more than 50 years, New Yorkers have waited for this moment. Through near misses, heartbreak and a hope that every year could be our year, this city never stopped believing in the Knicks. And this team fulfilled that hope with grit, resilience and heart — just like the five boroughs itself,” Mayor Mamdani said in a statement after the game on Saturday night. “New Yorkers have cheered for our team from packed living rooms in the Bronx to watch parties in Brooklyn, from bars in Queens to Staten Island to Manhattan, and Madison Square Garden itself. Now it’s time for our city to celebrate together. Bing bong.”Additional details about the parade will be announced on Sunday, June 14.Get the latest sports updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.The David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building at 1 Centre Street and the Brooklyn Borough Hall at 209 Joralemon Street will be lit up in blue and orange, the primary colors of the New York Knicks, on the night of the parade in honor of the Knicks.Prior to Saturday’s victory, the Knicks won NBA championships in 1970 and 1973.
NEW YORK —
The New York Knicks are National Basketball Association champions for the first time in 53 years.
After winning the 2026 NBA Finals series on Saturday, June 13 against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio, Texas, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced that the city will host a ticker-tape parade and City Hall ceremony for the Knicks on Thursday, June 18.
@NYCMayor on X (Formerly Twitter)
New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the city will host a ticker-tape parade and a City Hall ceremony for the New York Knicks on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
The mayor’s office added that the celebration will be the first ticker-tape parade in Knicks history.
The latest: Sports coverage from WPBF 25 News
Getty ImagesGregory Shamus
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: New York Knicks owner James Dolan and president Leon Rose lift the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after their team defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The team will also be honored with a ceremony at New York City Hall and will be awarded “Keys to the City.”
“For more than 50 years, New Yorkers have waited for this moment. Through near misses, heartbreak and a hope that every year could be our year, this city never stopped believing in the Knicks. And this team fulfilled that hope with grit, resilience and heart — just like the five boroughs itself,” Mayor Mamdani said in a statement after the game on Saturday night. “New Yorkers have cheered for our team from packed living rooms in the Bronx to watch parties in Brooklyn, from bars in Queens to Staten Island to Manhattan, and Madison Square Garden itself. Now it’s time for our city to celebrate together. Bing bong.”
Additional details about the parade will be announced on Sunday, June 14.
Getty ImagesAnadolu
NEW YORK, US – JUNE 13: NYPD riot squads and mounted horse units deployed across streets to disperse the New York Knicks fans who flooded the streets, caused chaos following NBA Championship victory in New York City, USA on June 13, 2026. While the Knicks clinched the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy on the road by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, local supporters gathered in the streets around Madison Square Garden to watch the broadcast. The festive celebrations rapidly deteriorated into unrest as groups of fans climbed atop a police car, shattering its windows, before setting fire to FIFA World Cup shuttle bus late into the night. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Get the latest sports updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
Getty ImagesADAM GRAY
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 14: New York Knicks fans climb on buses as they celebrate after they win the NBA Finals in Times Square on June 14, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks lead the San Antonio Spurs 3-1 and could win the franchise’s first NBA championship since 1973 if they win tonight.(Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images)
The David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building at 1 Centre Street and the Brooklyn Borough Hall at 209 Joralemon Street will be lit up in blue and orange, the primary colors of the New York Knicks, on the night of the parade in honor of the Knicks.
Getty ImagesADAM GRAY
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 14: New York Knicks fans climb on buses as they celebrate after they win the NBA Finals in Times Square on June 14, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks lead the San Antonio Spurs 3-1 and could win the franchise’s first NBA championship since 1973 if they win tonight.(Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesKENA BETANCUR
Knicks fans climb up a pole as they celebrate after the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to win the series, in New York, on June 14, 2026. The Knicks won the NBA Championship for the first time since 1973, for the third time in franchise history. (Photo by kena betancur / AFP via Getty Images)
Prior to Saturday’s victory, the Knicks won NBA championships in 1970 and 1973.