New York Knicks stars Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Jalen Brunson celebrated their 2026 NBA Championship on NBC's Late Night with Seth Meyers this week [1, 2].
The victory marks the end of a decades-long drought for one of the league's most high-profile franchises. By securing the title, the team has revitalized the New York sports scene and ended a championship void that spanned over half a century.
The Knicks clinched the championship in Game 5 on Saturday [3]. This victory represents the first NBA Championship for the franchise in 53 years [3] and their first title since 1973 [4].
During the appearance at Studio 6B in New York, the players reflected on the season's highlights and the impact of the win on the city [2, 5]. The athletes discussed the journey to the trophy and the effort required to bring the title back to New York.
"I don't think it's sunk in yet," Brunson said [3].
Beyond the television appearance, the team engaged in community celebrations to bring the city together around the victory [2, 5]. This included a fan visit to Dick’s Sporting Goods in New York [6].
The celebration featured a mix of athletic achievement and cultural milestones. The players shared the stage with Seth Meyers to discuss the historic nature of the win — an event described as a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence for the current roster and the fan base [3].
“"I don't think it's sunk in yet."”
The 2026 championship breaks a 53-year title drought for the New York Knicks, ending one of the longest championship absences in NBA history. This win validates the team's recent roster acquisitions and establishes a new era of dominance for the franchise in the U.S. sports market.
