Jalen Brunson and New York Knicks Look On in Awe as Championship Banner Is Raised at MSG in Emotional Scene

NEED TO KNOW

• The Knicks won their first NBA title since 1973 after Brunson scored 45 points in the series-clinching Game 5
• Timothée Chalamet, Spike Lee and Ben Stiller traveled to San Antonio for the historic Finals victory
• Karl-Anthony Towns said he would take less money to help keep the championship roster together

It was an emotional night at MSG!

As the New York Knicks’ championship banner was hoisted to the rafters at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Oct. 20, Jalen Brunson and his teammates watched in awe before their season-opening clash against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The broadcast captured Brunson, Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks smiling at the sight that was 53 years in the making.

it's happening 🥹 pic.twitter.com/3uEJDdLuAx

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 20, 2026

Led by Brunson — who scored 45 points in the series-clinching Game 5 during the NBA Finals in June — the long-suffering franchise finally brought back the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy to New York City for the first time since 1973.

Celebrities including Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan, Spike Lee, John Turturro, Sydney Sweeney and Ben Stiller were among the Knicks faithful who traveled to Frost Bank Center in San Antonio to take in the historic scene.

The 2026 NBA Finals made a mark with physical play on the court, exorbitantly expensive seats at both venues (especially in New York) and high ratings. The game on Monday, June 8, was the most-watched Finals Game 3 in 28 years.

Over the summer, the team kept busy, whether it was an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon or reuniting at Towns’ Malibu, Calif., wedding to longtime love Jordyn Woods.

Follow your favorite athletes on and off the field with PEOPLE’s free sports newsletter — sign up now!

On Tuesday, KAT also made news in a joint interview alongside Brunson with ESPN’s Malika Andrews.

The integral member of the championship team said he would accept less money on his next contract if it means he can stay in New York.

“That’s always been my main priority was to keep everyone here, to keep this core, this special team that we have,” Towns, 30, said. “So, it was the first thing on my mind... there was nowhere in my mind a max was even thought of.”

Read the original article on People