New York City celebrates Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years
After a 53-year wait, the New York Knicks captured their first NBA championship, sparking celebrations across New York City. Thousands of fans lined the streets of Manhattan for a historic ticker-tape parade, turning a Thursday workday into a spontaneous holiday as the city honored its victorious team.
The New York Knicks raised their first NBA title banner in 53 years on Tuesday night before tipping off their 2026-27 season, and we were all reminded of just how much this championship meant to the city of New York.
For one family, the championship was so impactful, it inspired the name of their firstborn son.
Yvonne Gonzalez-Bradford and her husband Vance were expecting their son when the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games during the NBA Finals this summer, capping a run of destiny in the best way possible – ending a 53-year title drought for a city that has been waiting forever to celebrate them again.
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Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks lifts the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. (Getty Images)
The historic moment ultimately led the Bradfords down a path of names, and they settled on one: Knickson Fyve Bradford.
The Bradfords spoke with TODAY.com about the name choice, saying they already had Prestige Wisdom in place if the baby were a boy, and Lady Victoria if it were a girl.
But the Knicks changed everything.
“You know how when something happens so well in your favor, you don’t want to jinx it?” Vance said. “I was just like, ‘Yep! Absolutely. That’s it!”
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Knickson was the first time, but Fyve as the middle name brought together the “Knicks in Five” slogan this fan base rallied around after they defeated the Spurs in five games.
Knickson was born on Aug. 8, weighing a healthy eight pounds, eight ounces. And for Yvonne, he was born on her birthday.
Thousands of fans gather near Wall Street in lower Manhattan for the New York Knicks championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating their 2026 NBA Finals win in New York City on June 18, 2026. The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA championship in 53 years. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
“We wanted to have a very strong and firm name that would lead to a cool life,” Vance told the outlet. “Knickson Fyve is definitely our motto, Knickson Fyve forever!”
It’s also worth noting the Bradford family has a strong Knicks connection, with Vance’s mother being a scorekeeper for the 1972-73 Knicks. They went on to win the NBA title that season as well – and it remained the last time New York hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy before this group, led by Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, got the job done.
Brunson spoke to a sold-out, emotional Madison Square Garden crowd on Tuesday night before facing LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers, thanking the crowd and the Knicks fans at home for their support throughout the playoff run.
Jalen Brunson celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy during the New York Knicks championship ticker-tape parade and victory rally in New York City. (Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images)
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Well, he and his teammates have one new supporter who has no choice but to be a Knicks fan for life now that his name is attached to franchise history.
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