On Thursday, June 18, Lower Manhattan was packed at every corner with people. They all came out, in droves, as well as in excitement, joy, and in orange and blue, to celebrate the NBA Champion New York Knicks.

If you’ve been paying attention, said joy has been in abundance in the city since the Knicks defied expectations, going on a 13-game playoff winning streak, only the second-longest single-postseason win streak, before defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals this month. They were bolstered by an epic comeback win that came to be thanks to a game-winning tip-in from overnight icon OG Anunoby in Game 4, and the consistent leadership and tenacity of captain and MVP Jalen Brunson. By the time they wrapped things up with a bow in Game 5, it was like Christmas in the five boroughs (but with much better weather and fireworks!).

And so, perhaps the biggest parade ever (word is, the first for the Knicks as they last won the Championship in 1973) was in order to really give the moment what it deserves.

In addition to everyday men, women, children, politicians, citizens, transplants, and the like (and our ESSENCE interns!), Black stars were on hand in their best Knicks and New York-inspired gear to celebrate. They stood atop open buses, walked the streets, performed and were on the ground at City Hall to watch the team get keys to the city and be honored for a stellar season. It was a day full of good vibes (ok, sure, there were some shenanigans, too), but the energy overall was positive.

See the stars who just had to be there. Many of them are regulars courtside during the playoffs, a few regulars throughout the season, some former players, and others, just diehard New Yorkers who couldn’t miss the city’s biggest bash yet.

Jordyn Woods

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 18: Jordyn Woods attends a championship celebration and Key to the City ceremony at City Hall Plaza after a ticker-tape parade honoring the team’s NBA Finals victory in New York City on June 18, 2026. (Photo by The Hapa Blonde/GC Images)

Darryl “DMC” McDaniels

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 18: Darryl McDaniels is seen at the New York Knicks championship ticker-tape parade and victory rally to celebrate winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by BG048/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Walt Clyde Frazier

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 18: Walt Clyde Frazier is seen outside City Hall at the New York Knicks ticker-tape parade on June 18, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by XNY/Star Max/GC Images)

Carmelo Anthony

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 18: Carmelo Anthony attends a championship celebration and Key to the City ceremony at City Hall Plaza after a ticker-tape parade honoring the team’s NBA Finals victory in New York City on June 18, 2026. (Photo by The Hapa Blonde/GC Images)

Attorney General Letitia James

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 18: Letitia James is seen outside City Hall at the New York Knicks ticker-tape parade on June 18, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by XNY/Star Max/GC Images)

Alicia Keys and Son Egypt Dean

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 18: Egypt Dean (L) and Alicia Keys perform during a championship celebration and Key to the City ceremony at City Hall Plaza after a ticker-tape parade honoring the New York Knick’s NBA Finals victory in New York City on June 18, 2026. (Photo by The Hapa Blonde/GC Images)

Spike Lee

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 18: Spike Lee is seen at the New York Knicks ticker-tape parade along the Canyon of Heroes on June 18, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by NDZ/Star Max/GC Images)

Patrick Ewing

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 18: Patrick Ewing is seen at the New York Knicks ticker-tape parade along the Canyon of Heroes on June 18, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by NDZ/Star Max/GC Images)

Tracy Morgan

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 18: Tracy Morgan is seen at the New York Knicks championship ticker-tape parade and victory rally to celebrate winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Chris Rock

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 18: Chris Rock celebrates during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years. (Photo by Craig T Fruchtman/Getty Images)

Mary J Blige and Mobb Deep’s Havoc

Teyana Taylor, Remy Ma and Yung Miami

US actress Teyana Taylor (2R) and US rapper Remy Ma ride atop an open-top bus during a championship ticker-tape parade celebrating the Knicks’ NBA Finals victory in New York City on June 18, 2026. (Photo by DAVID DEE DELGADO / AFP via Getty Images)

Stephon Marbury

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 18: Former Knicks player Stephon Marbury celebrates during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

John Starks With Carmelo Anthony

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 18: Carmelo Anthony and John Starks are seen on a float during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years. (Photo by Craig T Fruchtman/Getty Images)

Larry Johnson and Latrell Sprewell

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 18: Latrell Sprewell (L) and Larry Johnson attend a championship celebration and Key to the City ceremony at City Hall Plaza after a ticker-tape parade honoring the New York Knick’s NBA Finals victory in New York City on June 18, 2026. (Photo by The Hapa Blonde/GC Images)

Author: ESSENCE Editors

Read the original article on Essence.