The Knicks ' championship parade was more than just a celebration of basketball, it became a family day for the people closest to the team.
New York marked its first NBA title since 1973 with a massive ticker-tape parade through Lower Manhattan on June 18. The route ran up Broadway through the Canyon of Heroes before finishing with a ceremony at City Hall.
While the parade was built around the Knicks' historic title, it was the personal moments around the floats that gave the day its heart.
Photo by Andrea Renault/Star Max/GC Images
Jalen Brunson celebrated alongside his wife, Ali Marks, and their young child. Already the face of the parade after winning Finals MVP, Brunson's family moment was one of many that gave the day a more personal feel.
Karl-Anthony Towns was joined by Jordyn Woods as he celebrated the first championship of his NBA career, while Mikal Bridges brought his dog along for the ride, a fitting addition to a once-in-a-generation citywide party.
Josh Hart was also surrounded by family, continuing a week of celebrations alongside Brunson, Bridges, Towns and the rest of the Knicks' core.
The celebrity turnout added another layer to the occasion. Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock and Martha Stewart were just a few of the familiar faces spotted at the parade.
Mariska Hargitay reportedly attended with her son, while Ben Stiller was joined by Christine Taylor, making the event feel as much like a New York cultural moment as a sporting one.
The Knicks had earned their moment by beating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, closing out the series 4-1. Brunson, who scored 45 points in the clincher, was named unanimous Finals MVP.
Fans packed Lower Manhattan, filling the route with chants, signs and a sea of orange and blue. For many, it was the first Knicks title they had ever seen.
That is why the family moments mattered. It was not just about a trophy, it was about sharing the end of a 53-year wait with the people who had lived through every step of it.
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