Spike Lee, Timothée Chalamet, and Ben Stiller Celebrate Knicks’ First NBA Championship Since 1973: “Way Rather This Than the Oscars”
The New York Knicks have clinched their first NBA championship in 53 years, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the Finals. This historic victory was witnessed by a host of celebrity fans, including Spike Lee, Timothée Chalamet, and Ben Stiller, who celebrated the long-awaited title.
Celebrations on the Court
Following the Knicks’ victory, both Lee and Chalamet were seen celebrating on the court. Chalamet was photographed embracing Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns and expressing his joy to ESPN’s SportsCenter, stating, “way rather this than the Oscars.” This comment comes after the actor faced disappointment at the Academy Awards for two consecutive years without a win.
Stiller, wearing a Knicks 2026 NBA Champions t-shirt, shared his elation post-game, stating, “I felt as happy as I’ve ever felt. It’s pretty amazing.”
Emotional Moments
Towns also shared a heartfelt moment with his fiancée, Jordyn Woods, who brought her lucky orange purse to the game. Woods expressed her feelings before the match, describing herself as “excited” and “nervous,” while sending out “positive vibes and energy” for the championship-clinching game.
Despite planning a wedding, Woods noted uncertainty about how they would celebrate the Knicks’ monumental win. She emphasized their approach to life, saying, “We’ve literally just been living moment by moment. The highs, you don’t want to get too high; you don’t want to get too low; you just want to stay humble.”
A Mixed Atmosphere in San Antonio
The championship win took place at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, where the atmosphere was less jubilant than it would have been at Madison Square Garden. The arena, predominantly filled with Spurs fans, quickly emptied after the final buzzer.
However, watch parties across New York City, particularly in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, erupted in celebration as fans rejoiced in the long-awaited victory.
Celebrity Attendance
Longtime Knicks supporters, including Lee, Chalamet, Tracy Morgan, John Turturro, and Stiller, made the journey to San Antonio for Game 5. Notable Knicks legends Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Patrick Ewing were also present to witness the victory. Other celebrities spotted supporting the Knicks included Sydney Sweeney, Scooter Braun, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Pete Davidson, Adam Sandler, Jay-Z, Jimmy Fallon, Michael J. Fox, Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld, and Mariska Hargitay.
In a rare display of bipartisan support, both former President Barack Obama and current President Donald J. Trump congratulated the Knicks on their achievement.
Mariska Hargitay’s Enthusiasm
Hargitay, a dedicated Knicks fan and close friend of Jalen Brunson, attended Game 4 after performing in Every Brilliant Thing on Broadway. She expressed her excitement about the Knicks’ comeback win, stating, “I love my husband, and our wedding night was great and all, but I think it might have been the greatest night of my life.” Hargitay described the game as “brutal,” noting the team’s resilience in overcoming a 29-point deficit.
Following the championship victory, Hargitay showed her support for Brunson on Instagram.
Owner’s Remarks and Upcoming Celebrations
After lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy, Knicks owner James Dolan addressed the fans, saying, “Hey, New York, I’m sorry it took so long, but here we are and hopefully it won’t take that long again!”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that the Knicks’ championship parade will take place in Manhattan on Thursday.
This championship appearance marks the Knicks’ first since 1999, when they faced the Spurs and lost in Game 5. The Knicks entered Game 5 leading the series 3-1 and had achieved the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history just days earlier, winning Game 4 with a score of 107-106.
Citywide Spirit
In anticipation of Game 5, New Yorkers donned their Knicks gear, showcasing jerseys and merchandise in the team’s colors. The Empire State Building was even illuminated in orange and blue to celebrate the occasion. Bruce Springsteen, during a performance at the Tribeca Festival, ended his set with a shoutout to the Knicks, saying, “Go Knicks.”
As reported by www.hollywoodreporter.com.
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Published on 2026-06-14 08:21:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk