The New York Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years will be feted with a ticker-tape parade along Broadway’s Canyon of Heroes on Thursday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced, as the city savours a triumph that ended one of American sport’s longest title droughts. The Knicks closed out the San Antonio Spurs in five games on the road, with Finals MVP Jalen Brunson pouring in 45 points in the decisive 94-90 victory. For a franchise haunted by decades of near-misses, the moment carried a weight that extended far beyond the hardwood.

Off the court, the championship run acquired an almost folkloric quality. WWE star Danhausen, a cult figure among wrestling fans, claimed to have “uncursed” the team, and Brunson — initially sceptical — conceded on Jimmy Fallon’s show that “you have to believe it now.” Owner James Dolan, meanwhile, delivered a pre-playoff address urging his players to emulate Spartans and forgo sex for ten weeks to gain a competitive edge. Whether such measures tipped the balance is unknowable, but the resilience theme was genuine: forward OG Anunoby, who missed the Raptors’ 2019 title run through injury, described this championship as the culmination of a nine-year journey, using the word “resilient” three times in his post-match press conference.

On the floor, Brunson’s 32.6-point average across the Finals dominated headlines, but Karl-Anthony Towns’ defensive work on Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama drew equal praise from luminaries. Magic Johnson, in a video message, lauded Towns’ all-round dominance, while Towns himself brushed aside the growing perception of Wembanyama as an NBA villain, calling him “a great player.” Viewed from San Antonio, the mood was reflective. Veteran Harrison Barnes posted a one-word message — “GRATEFUL” — after his 14th season, while point guard De’Aaron Fox became a lightning rod for criticism after averaging just 12.8 points on 34 per cent shooting. Despite calls to trade him, ESPN reported the Spurs remain committed to Fox as their franchise point guard, for now.

The Knicks’ success reverberated across New York’s sporting landscape. Jets running back Breece Hall, who watched the clincher from a suite with Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, spoke of a “positive envy” that he hoped would fuel his own team. Towns’ alma mater, the University of Kentucky, celebrated his achievement, and the player himself told CBS Mornings he was “just grateful.” Looking ahead, the Knicks, with a core of Brunson, Towns and Anunoby, appear built for sustained contention, while the Spurs must weigh Fox’s future against the promise of Wembanyama. For now, though, Manhattan prepares to shower its champions in confetti — a ritual last performed for a basketball team when the city was a very different place.