By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
The long-awaited celebration has finally arrived in New York City after the New York Knicks erased a 53-year drought to capture their third NBA championship. By defeating the San Antonio Spurs in five games, the team secured the Larry O’Brien trophy, sparking wild festivities ahead of Thursday’s official victory parade.
While the roster initially maintained a diplomatic stance regarding the physicality across the best-of-seven championship series in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, the dynamic shifted dramatically immediately after the final buzzer of the series-ending Game 5 in San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center last Saturday.
Visibly frustrated by the defeat, French superstar Victor Wembanyama bypassed the customary postgame handshakes entirely and marched straight to the locker room. This snub confirmed a genuine competitive animosity, reminiscent of past basketball eras.
The underlying friction quickly carried over into the local nightlife during a jubilant team gathering. While celebrating the triumph alongside his teammates, Finals Most Valuable Player Jalen Brunson toasted the crowd by shouting, “F*ck Wemby”. This explicit moment solidified a brand-new league rivalry, setting the stage for when the two squads meet again next season.
Jalen Brunson at the Knicks team party last night:
“F*ck Wemby”
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) June 15, 2026
Mike Brown’s side finished third in the 2025–26 Regular Season of the Eastern Conference, before embarking on a frantic postseason run that included series wins over the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Overcoming a legendary opponent to bring the trophy back to Madison Square Garden has ignited the fanbase.
As players make television appearances and count down to the parade, this newly born beef ensures that the fallout from the Finals 2026 will linger long after the champagne dries.
Make 
Your Preferred Basketball Source.
Add Eurohoops to Google