Knicks celebrate NBA title with parade and City Hall ceremony
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 9:15 PM
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
The New York Knicks held a parade through the Canyon of Heroes on June 18, marking the franchise's first NBA championship in 53 years. Fans gathered in massive numbers, with estimates suggesting over two million attendees. The celebration continued at City Hall, featuring speeches from Mayor Mamdani, who acknowledged the team's resilience and referenced their memorable Game 4 comeback in the NBA Finals. The event included performances from Alicia Keys and other notable figures, culminating in a display of confetti and the Larry O’Brien trophy being hoisted by Karl-Anthony Towns. Mayor Mamdani emphasized the victory as a collective celebration for New York City.
- •The parade drew an estimated crowd of over two million people.
- •Ceremonial keys to the city were presented by Mayor Mamdani to the Knicks.
- •Alicia Keys performed 'Empire State of Mind' during the celebration.
- •Mayor Mamdani referenced the Knicks' 29-point comeback in the Finals.
- •Karl-Anthony Towns displayed the Larry O’Brien trophy at City Hall.
- 11:31 PMYahoo Sports — NYC Celebrates Knicks Championship Win With Key to the City Ceremony
- 9:15 PMYahoo Sports — Knicks cap NBA title celebration with Canyon of Heroes parade, City Hall ceremony
"NEW YORK — First, there were keys — the ceremonial keys to the city that Mayor Mamdani gifted the Knicks for bringing home the franchise’s first championship in 53 years. Then, there was Keys — Alicia Keys, whose spirited rendition of “Empire State of Mind” capped an epic day of reveling among generations of Knicks fans who never knew whether this moment would actually come. Indeed, New York ...
"Mayor Mamdani delivered a powerful speech and Alicia Keys, alongside her son, Egypt, performed an anthemic number
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 11:31 PMNYC Celebrates Knicks Championship Win With Key to the City Ceremony
Mayor Mamdani delivered a powerful speech and Alicia Keys, alongside her son, Egypt, performed an anthemic number
- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 9:15 PMKnicks cap NBA title celebration with Canyon of Heroes parade, City Hall ceremony
NEW YORK — First, there were keys — the ceremonial keys to the city that Mayor Mamdani gifted the Knicks for bringing home the franchise’s first championship in 53 years. Then, there was Keys — Alicia Keys, whose spirited rendition of “Empire State of Mind” capped an epic day of reveling among generations of Knicks fans who never knew whether this moment would actually come. Indeed, New York ...
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