New York City was swept into celebration on Saturday as the New York Knicks ended a 53-year championship drought, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Texas to secure the NBA Finals title and sparking jubilant scenes across Manhattan.

Thousands of fans had already begun gathering earlier in the week, with a major victory parade held through the streets of lower Manhattan on Thursday. The city turned into a wave of blue and orange as supporters packed the streets to honour the team’s long-awaited triumph.

Chants of “Let’s go Knicks” echoed through dense crowds, many of whom had waited hours—some even paying for professional line sitters—to secure prime viewing spots along the parade route.

For longtime supporters, the victory marked more than a sporting achievement. “The Knicks unite the city unlike any other team. We were starved for so long,” said 29-year-old retail worker Anthony Martorelli, reflecting on decades of frustration finally lifted.

Security was heightened across the city, with around 10,000 New York Police Department officers deployed for the parade, marking the largest planned security operation in the department’s history. Viewing areas filled hours before the procession began, forcing late arrivals to search for alternative vantage points.

In one instance, fans climbed onto a city dump truck positioned as part of the security setup to get a better view of the players and the championship trophy. Amid the celebrations, a couple in wedding attire moved through the crowds, planning to hold their ceremony later in the day.

The parade route stretched from Bowling Green to City Hall along the famed “Canyon of Heroes,” where the team was showered with 1.1 tonnes of recycled confetti as part of New York’s historic ticker-tape tradition dating back to the late 1800s.

At City Hall, the Knicks were formally honoured as city officials presented them with the symbolic key to New York. Grammy-winning artist Alicia Keys performed “Empire State of Mind,” adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised the moment as a rare display of unity in the city. “What a gift it is to be brought together by pure, unfiltered joy,” he said, noting how the victory had brought residents together in shared celebration.

Knicks star Jalen Brunson, named Most Valuable Player of the 2026 NBA Finals, thanked fans for their unwavering support throughout the championship run. “Somehow, some way, I knew we were going to find a way to get this done,” he said.

For many residents, the victory carried deep personal meaning. Some recalled the team’s last championship in 1973, while others reflected on decades of loyalty through losing seasons.

“I was nine when they last won,” said retiree James Smallwood. “I remember the excitement. I’m a five-time cancer survivor, so seeing this means everything.”

Despite traffic disruptions and street closures across Manhattan, many fans said the celebrations were worth the inconvenience, calling the victory a historic moment in the city’s sporting history.