Downtown Manhattan turned into a sea of blue and orange Thursday as the New York Knicks rolled through the streets for their long-awaited championship parade. The celebration, which began in Battery Park and ended at City Hall, marked the franchise's first NBA title since 1973. But it wasn't just die-hard fans and team officials soaking in the moment—some of the biggest names in Hollywood and music came out to show their love.
The Knicks topped the San Antonio Spurs in five games to capture the 2026 NBA Finals, and the city came alive. Among the thousands of fans lining the route, a handful of celebrities were spotted making the scene. Here are the 10 A-listers who joined the party:
- Timothée Chalamet
- Ben Stiller
- Martha Stewart
- Chris Rock
- John Turturro
- Spike Lee
- Mariska Hargitay
- Teyana Taylor
- Mary J. Blige
- Fat Joe
Spike Lee, the Knicks' most famous superfan, was right in the thick of it, soaking up every second. Martha Stewart, known for her love of the game, was all smiles as she waved from the crowd. Even Ben Stiller, who's no stranger to courtside seats, brought his signature energy to the festivities.
But the parade wasn't just a red-carpet moment—it was deeply personal for the players, especially those with New York roots. Guard Jose Alvarado, a Brooklyn native, couldn't hold back his emotions. "Knicks, we won, and that's amazing. But I'm from here, and it's like, it's just home, different," Alvarado said. "I've been a Knicks fan since I was born, right? My parents [have] been Knicks fans. Just seeing this progress, that everything happened, can't really be put in words. It's just special to me. It's real special."
The parade route saw a mix of triumph and tension. While the celebration was largely joyous, some fans couldn't resist a crude chant aimed at Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama that drew criticism. Still, the mood was overwhelmingly positive as the Knicks' brass—owner James Dolan, star point guard Karl-Anthony Towns, and head coach Mike Brown—took the stage at City Hall to address the crowd.
Jalen Brunson, the Finals MVP, used his speech to fire back at critics. He took a pointed shot at Becky Hammon's earlier doubts about the team, a moment that electrified the crowd. Brunson's leadership was a driving force throughout the postseason, alongside Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby, who all delivered clutch performances.
Not everyone was thrilled about the parade's turnout. Reports emerged that thousands of fans were left out in the cold as the route reached capacity early. But the celebration isn't slowing down—New York is set to bask in this championship glow all summer long.
