NYPD officers mistakenly remove Knicks player from championship parade
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 7:58 PM
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
During a Thursday celebration in New York City, NYPD officers mistakenly pulled Knicks guard Tyler Kolek from a crowd. Officers believed Kolek, who was celebrating and holding a drink, was just an overzealous fan. Video footage shows him attempting to explain that he is a player for the team. Kolek later joked about the incident on social media. The parade celebrated the Knicks' first championship win in over 50 years, following their finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
- •Tyler Kolek celebrated with fans at the Knicks' championship parade.
- •Officers mistook him for a fan and removed him from the crowd.
- •Kolek joked about the incident on social media.
- •The Knicks won their first championship in over 50 years.
- •The team defeated the San Antonio Spurs in the finals.
- 10:08 PMYahoo Sports — Knicks' Tyler Kolek stopped by cops during championship parade: 'I swear I'm on the team bro'
- 8:59 PMYahoo Sports — NYPD momentarily stops Knicks' Tyler Kolek after mistaking him for a fan during NBA championship parade
- 8:48 PMYahoo Sports — NYPD almost arrest Knicks player after mistaking him for fan at title parade
- 7:58 PMYahoo Sports — WATCH: NYPD Officers Grab a Knicks Player and Yank Him from the Parade Mistaking Him for a Fan
- 7:25 PMYahoo Sports — New York police officers don't think Tyler Kolek is with the Knicks
- 5:50 PMYahoo Sports — NYPD nearly tackles Knicks' Tyler Kolek after mistaking player for fan in championship parade mishap
"The Knicks’ title parade was always going to test New York’s crowd control, as thousands of fans packed Lower Manhattan and many were turned away once viewing areas were already filled. The NYPD said viewing pens opened at 6 a.
"During the Knicks' first championship parade in 53 years, backup point guard Tyler Kolek was briefly stopped by police officers who apparently didn't recognize him as a player.
"Kolek was seen high-fiving an array of celebrating fans along the parade route before he was briefly wrangled by New York Police Department personnel.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 10:08 PMKnicks' Tyler Kolek stopped by cops during championship parade: 'I swear I'm on the team bro'
During the Knicks' first championship parade in 53 years, backup point guard Tyler Kolek was briefly stopped by police officers who apparently didn't recognize him as a player.
- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 8:59 PMNYPD momentarily stops Knicks' Tyler Kolek after mistaking him for a fan during NBA championship parade
Kolek was seen high-fiving an array of celebrating fans along the parade route before he was briefly wrangled by New York Police Department personnel.
- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 8:48 PMNYPD almost arrest Knicks player after mistaking him for fan at title parade
The Knicks’ title parade was always going to test New York’s crowd control, as thousands of fans packed Lower Manhattan and many were turned away once viewing areas were already filled. The NYPD said viewing pens opened at 6 a.
- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 7:58 PMWATCH: NYPD Officers Grab a Knicks Player and Yank Him from the Parade Mistaking Him for a Fan
Tyler Kolek may play for NBA champions the New York Knicks, but he wasn't recognizable to NYPD officers during a Thursday celebration.
- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 7:25 PMNew York police officers don't think Tyler Kolek is with the Knicks
The 6-foot-2 Tyler Kolek seems to have been mistaken for an unruly fan during a parade celebrating the Knicks' NBA championship.
- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 5:50 PMNYPD nearly tackles Knicks' Tyler Kolek after mistaking player for fan in championship parade mishap
Here's a look at how Kolek was mistaken for a fan.
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