Knicks Raise Championship Banner 53 Years After Last Title

The New York Knicks raised their 2025-26 NBA championship banner at Madison Square Garden before their season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 20, 2026. It was the team's first title in 53 years, clinched on June 13.

Head coach Mike Brown said the team cannot afford any slippage in its process as it begins defending the championship. He stressed that standards and approach remain critical moving forward.

“Regardless of what we accomplished, moving forward, our standard and how we approach our process is going to be really critical for us.”

Mitchell Robinson left for the Boston Celtics on a three-year, $47 million contract after eight seasons with New York. The Knicks signed Andre Drummond to a one-year, $3.9 million veteran minimum deal to replace his rebounding.

Executives Leon Rose and William Wesley and coaches Mike Brown, Chris Jent, Brendan O'Connor and Rick Brunson received their rings first. Players collected theirs one by one, with starters Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson going last.

Ariel Hukporti, who joined the 76ers in the offseason but tore his Achilles in the preseason opener, attended with his foot in a cast to claim his ring. The banner stayed above the court for the night before joining the other banners in the rafters.