New York City celebrates Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years
After a 53-year wait, the New York Knicks captured their first NBA championship, sparking celebrations throughout New York City. Thousands of fans lined the streets of Manhattan for a historic parade, turning a Thursday weekday into a spontaneous holiday as the city honored its victorious team.
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It’s been more than a month since the New York Knicks won the NBA title for the first time since 1973, and the “Big Apple” is still excited about it.
NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson continues to celebrate the long-awaited victory, but fans may not like what they saw in his first public appearance since undergoing offseason surgery a little less than a month ago.
Brunson needed to have his left wrist surgically repaired, and for the first time since the successful procedure, he was seen in Margate, New Jersey, with a sling around his left arm.
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Jalen Brunson celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy during the New York Knicks championship parade and victory rally in New York City. (Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images)
Brunson also had his left hand and wrist wrapped in a photo taken with a fan at The Other Lucy Beach Grille in the seaside town.
Brunson underwent surgery for a tendon problem in his left hand and wrist, which he suffered during the Knicks’ historic playoff run.
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However, Brunson’s estimated recovery time was six to eight weeks, which should give Knicks fans some relief after seeing the photo.
It is common for players to undergo procedures during the offseason as they want to be ready for the next season. Brunson is no different in this case, but any concerns can be attributed to how important he is to the Knicks retaining that title heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
Brunson averaged an NBA Playoff-leading 28.4 points during 19 games played for the Knicks. He also tallied 6.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 46.5% from the field and 36.3% from three-point territory.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks celebrates after scoring against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of game three of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series on Friday, April 21, 2023 in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Brunson, as well as his Knicks teammates, etched their names in New York history, returning the Larry O’Brien Trophy to a rabid fan base that captivated basketball fans around the world throughout their series victories over the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.
“Today we want to give a heartfelt thank you to Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks for stopping by and spending time with our students! His kindness and encouragement meant a lot, especially to a student who really needed a reason to smile,” The Other Lucy Beach Grille’s Instagram post featuring Brunson read.
Jalen Brunson is seen at the New York Knicks parade along the Canyon of Heroes in New York City on June 18, 2026. (NDZ/Star Max/GC Images)
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“Robert was having a tough day and facing some challenges, and your kindness and encouragement completely changed things. Moments like these remind us that being a role model goes far beyond the basketball court.”
While Brunson may still be recovering, he is still impacting the tri-state area as the certified “King of New York” after helping bring an NBA title to the city.
