New York Knicks point guard Tyler Kolek was briefly stopped by police during the team's championship parade after security mistook him for a fan [1].

The incident highlights a bizarre moment of mistaken identity during one of the city's largest celebrations, occurring just as the team celebrated defeating the San Antonio Spurs for the 2026 NBA championship [6].

Kolek, 25 [1], was high-fiving supporters along the route in Manhattan when he stepped off the parade float [4]. Security personnel and police officers, believing he was an unauthorized spectator, grabbed the player and briefly detained him [2].

During the confrontation, Kolek attempted to identify himself to the officers. "I swear I'm on the team bro," Kolek said [2].

Despite the confusion, the player maintained a lighthearted perspective on the encounter. Speaking during the ESPY Awards on July 15, 2026 [2], Kolek said, "It was pretty funny" [3].

Kolek signed with the Knicks in July 2024 [4]. While he celebrated the title with his teammates this week, he did not play any minutes during the championship series [5]. The parade took place on Thursday, the day before the ESPY Awards [2].

“"I swear I'm on the team bro."”

The incident underscores the chaotic nature of high-security sporting events in New York City, where strict perimeter controls can lead to errors in identification. Because Kolek had zero playing time in the finals, he may have been less recognizable to the security detail than the team's primary starters.