Knicks won't hang an NBA Cup banner in the Madison Square Garden rafters, source says
The scoreboard at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas displays a congratulatory message after the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs to win the NBA Cup on Tuesday. Credit: Getty Images
LAS VEGAS — When the Knicks finished off the 124-113 win over the San Antonio Spurs to win the NBA Cup on Tuesday night, the celebration had all of the familiar accoutrements of a championship — a wild celebration on the floor, confetti streaming through T-Mobile Arena, a massive trophy hoisted by the players and shirts and hats emblazoned to honor the achievement.
But what it won’t have is a banner being raised to the rafters at Madison Square Garden.
“The organization is incredibly proud of the players and staff,” a league source said, “but ultimately is focused on big stuff in June.”
The source indicated that the title would be celebrated Friday and that things would happen at the game against the Philadelphia 76ers to allow the fans to acknowledge and cheer the victory.
The Knicks haven’t won an overall championship since 1973 and only two NBA championship banners reside in the rafters. The last accomplishment to get a banner was the Atlantic Division title in the 2012-2013 season.
“Man, I don’t know,” Josh Hart said after the game when asked if a banner should be hung. “Y’all decide that. Someone’s going to be mad whatever we do, so . . . I’ll let them figure that one out.”
And that is certainly true. For a team that has been chasing a title for more than 50 years, an in-season tournament doesn’t hold the same place in history, and it shouldn’t. But it also certainly should be acknowledged that 30 teams competed for this and the Knicks were the last one standing.
“I don’t think we’re having a parade,” said Jalen Brunson, who was named the NBA Cup Most Valuable Player. “To the city of New York? I think it’s good that we won this. I think the way we won it is special, as well. I mean, our fans are always going to support us through thick and thin.
“I think for me, I always focus on staying levelheaded through the positives, through the negatives. You can’t get too high, can’t get too low. This is great. We’re going to enjoy this. But once we leave tomorrow, we’re moving on.”
Winners of the first two NBA Cup in-season tournaments, the Lakers in 2023 and the Bucks in 2024, did raise a banner in their home arenas.
“The Cup is special,” Karl-Anthony Towns said. “I think you saw tonight, here in Vegas, semifinals, finals, it brought out the best of all the teams. For us to be in a position to say that we won, we’re the champions, have that dope shirt on with the Knicks saying ‘Champions’ is humbling and an honor. I’ll leave [the banner choice] to them. I know right now in our careers and our lives, we’re going to celebrate this one tonight. We’re going to hold this Cup championship dear to our heart. But now it’s time to work on the second one.”
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
