League: NBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Knicks capture NBA championship, shifting New York basketball dynamics

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 22, 2026, 3:13 AM

Last updated Jun 22, 2026

Knicks capture NBA championship, shifting New York basketball dynamics

Summary

The New York Knicks have won their first NBA championship since 1973, dramatically changing the basketball in New York City. With the victory, they overtake the Brooklyn Nets, who once appeared to dominate following the acquisition of stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in 2019. This championship marks a significant turnaround for the Knicks, who previously endured seven years without playoff appearances. The Nets, now in a rebuilding phase, face pressure to improve in light of their rival's success. The Knicks' title symbolizes a shift in expectations for both franchises and reestablishes their place in the city's sports hierarchy.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Knicks win NBA championship, their first since 1973.
•Nets had dominated New York basketball since 2019 with Durant and Irving.
•Knicks previously missed the playoffs for seven straight seasons.
•Nets currently enter a rebuilding phase following the Knicks' victory.
•The championship creates new expectations for both franchises moving forward.

Latest Updates

3:13 AMYahoo Sports — How the Knicks Overtook the Nets in New York Basketball

What they're saying

"
On June 30, 2019, it felt like the Nets had taken control of New York basketball after landing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Nearly seven years later, the Knicks are champions, and the city's basketball hierarchy has been completely flipped upside down.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Brooklyn Nets New York Knicks NBA Basketball