The New York Knicks claimed their first NBA championship since 1973 on Saturday night, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 to close out the series 4-1. The win ended a 53-year drought for the franchise, whose last title came against the Los Angeles Lakers in a series that also ended 4-1.
Guard Jalen Brunson led the way with 45 points and took home the NBA Finals MVP trophy. Brunson is 29 years old. He watched from courtside seats at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio alongside a collection of celebrities who had followed the team throughout the Finals.
Among those watching was actor Timothée Chalamet, who has been a courtside regular at Madison Square Garden during the postseason run. Moments after the final buzzer, Chalamet spoke to SportsCenter from the arena floor.
"Way rather this than the Oscars! Come on, baby!" Chalamet said. "Knicks are champions, baby!"
Chalamet, who grew up in New York, has received three Oscar nominations for best actor, for Call Me by Your Name in 2018, A Complete Unknown in 2025, and Marty Supreme in 2026. He has not won.
He also made it into the Knicks locker room for the celebration. In video footage from inside, an off-camera voice offered him goggles to protect against champagne spray. Chalamet replied: "I don't deserve them. I'm not an athlete. Usually, I have a stunt double do that."
According to Variety, other celebrities who attended games at Madison Square Garden during the Finals included Spike Lee, Larry David, Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld, Mariska Hargitay, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, and Taylor Swift. A$AP Rocky, Fat Joe, and Timothée Chalamet were also present at the clinching game. President Donald Trump attended Game 3 at MSG, becoming the first sitting president in history to attend the NBA Finals. The Knicks lost that game, the only one they dropped in the series.
Following the championship win, official merchandise has gone on sale. Collectibles site FOCO has released a line of Knicks championship items, including a Jalen Brunson bobblehead featuring him posed with his trophy. The figurines are hand-painted and hand-crafted, with each unit individually numbered. FOCO is limiting purchases to two units per buyer. A larger 18-inch limited edition version of the Brunson bobblehead will be released in an edition of only 50 pieces. OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns also have items available in the line. The collection also includes a New York Knicks Hello Kitty bobblehead.
