Celebrities rejoice as the New York Knicks are NBA champions once again. After the big victory, some of music’s biggest names are celebrating alongside millions of fans across the city. On Saturday (June 13), the Knicks secured their first NBA title in 53 years with a hard-fought 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in a nerve-wracking yet exciting and unexpected Game 5 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The historic win ended one of the longest championship droughts in professional sports and sparked celebrations throughout New York City. The event also saw Karl-Anthony Towns make history as the second Dominican-descended player to win an NBA title, after basketball superstar Al Horford became the first player from the Dominican Republic to win an NBA championship.
Among the most enthusiastic reactions came from also Dominican Cardi B, who shared her excitement in a lively Instagram Live broadcast moments after the final buzzer sounded.
The Bronx rapper jumped out of bed and ran through her home screaming, “Oh my God!” and “We won!” as she celebrated the franchise’s long-awaited championship.
© Getty ImagesLater in the video, Cardi explained that she had no intention of staying home after the victory. “The streets are calling me,” she said multiple times as she prepared to join the citywide celebrations.
Representing the Nuyorican community, longtime Knicks superfan Fat Joe also marked the milestone on social media. The Bronx native, who has spent years supporting the team from courtside seats at Madison Square Garden, reflected on the significance of the moment. “Never give up,” the rapper captioned an Instagram photo of himself posing with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
© Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty ImagesFat Joe also shared several additional posts from the celebration, including a courtside video featuring Manhattan native actor Timothée Chalamet and actress Teyana Taylor as Knicks fans soaked up the championship atmosphere. Later in the night, Chalamet went viral after he was captured celebrating in the locker room alongside the new champions.
© Getty ImagesSinger-songwriter Alicia Keys joined the festivities by spotlighting the scene unfolding across New York City. She posted a video showing thousands of fans flooding the streets following the win, with crowds singing along to “Empire State of Mind,” her iconic 2009 collaboration with Jay-Z that has become synonymous with New York pride. “Empire State of Mind!!!!!!” Keys captioned the post.
Another proud Nuyorican moment came after Jennifer Lopez delivered one of the night’s most emotional tributes. The Bronx-born superstar shared a video of herself watching the final moments of the game from home. As the clock expired, Lopez leaped from her seat before collapsing onto her couch in disbelief. “Yes!” and “Oh, my God!” she shouted while celebrating the championship victory.
© WireImageLopez later accompanied the video with a heartfelt message reflecting on her decades-long connection to the team and what the championship means to New Yorkers. “Congratulations to the New York Knickerbockers, NBA Champions!!!!!” Lopez wrote. “I remember the last time the Knicks were making a run for the championship and rushing home every game day from the set to watch Ewing, Starks, and Oakley make a hell of a run.”
The singer and actress went on to acknowledge the patience of Knicks fans who waited more than five decades for another title. “We have all been waiting patiently for this day for years. Thank you for uniting our city again…for uniting the world. You restored faith, hope and belief in that there’s nothing we can’t do!! Hard work, goodness and teamwork pays off! You set the city on fire!! Proud to be from the block!! You already know. Knicks forever. CONGRATULATIONS!! Love, Jenny.”
The championship victory instantly became one of the most memorable moments in modern New York sports history. Fans poured into the streets across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, celebrating a diverse team that had not lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy since 1973.
© Getty ImagesFor a franchise that has endured decades of heartbreak, near misses, and rebuilding seasons, the win represented more than a championship. It marked the end of a 53-year wait and provided a unifying moment for a city known for its passionate sports culture.
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