Knicks championship parade brings New York City together
Millions of fans gather in New York City for the Knicks’ championship ticker-tape parade following their historic NBA Finals victory. NYPD officers are deployed along the route, expecting up to four million people to celebrate. This event marks a magical moment for the city, uniting die-hard and casual fans in celebration.
All types of law enforcement and security were present on the streets of New York City on Thursday, as the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals victory parade sent the Big Apple into a frenzy of celebration.
The main goal? Keep everyone safe and make sure things don’t go overboard like several watch parties and post-win celebrations did during the team’s historic playoff run.
Unfortunately for a couple of NYPD officers, they have now gone viral for not recognizing one of the Knicks’ players.
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Tyler Kolek of the New York Knicks poses for a portrait after winning Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 13, 2026. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE)
Tyler Kolek, a second-year guard who played around 12 minutes per game during the regular season and appeared toward the end of eight games during the team’s playoff run, was spotted running along the barricades down Broadway, high-fiving fans who were eager to see him and celebrate together.
But, as Kolek was running, one officer stepped in his way, grabbing his arms and seemingly telling him to stop running. Another cop also put his hand on Kolek’s arm before someone stepped in, likely telling the officers that he is on the championship roster.
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In the officer’s defense, Kolek isn’t the most recognizable Knicks player on the roster, especially considering how little he played during the year. But he wasn’t too pleased after being stopped, as one could understand.
However, Kolek kept it lighthearted on X when someone tweeted, “Security almost tackled Tyler Kolek lmao.”
Tyler Kolek and Landry Shamet of the New York Knicks celebrate with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after winning the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 13, 2026. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE)
“I swear I’m on the team bro,” he wrote over the tweet with laughing emojis.
Security was being vigilant despite getting this one wrong, as tens of thousands of Knicks fans flooded the streets along the “Canyon of Heroes” for the title parade, which began in Battery Park and ended at City Hall where the team addressed the crowd alongside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and more.
And even at City Hall there was a snafu for the parade, as the Mayor’s Office hung Patrick Ewing’s retired No. 33 for a Knicks player who barely saw the court. Every player on the championship roster had their number and last name displayed on banners, but Dillon Jones, who played just 39 minutes all season for the Knicks, had No. 33 on his banner.
Tyler Kolek of the New York Knicks looks on during the Knicks 2026 Championship Parade and Ceremony in New York City on June 18, 2026. (David L. Nemec/NBAE)
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Jones wore No. 1 with the Knicks, but the roster lists him with Ewing’s retired No. 33.
The parade was the first down the Canyon of Heroes for a team in the four major professional sports leagues since the New York Giants won Super Bowl XLVI in 2012.
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