Congratulating the New York Knicks on winning the 2026 National Basketball Association Finals.

Congratulating the New York Knicks on winning the 2026 National Basketball Association Finals.

Whereas, on Saturday, June 13, 2026, the New York Knickerbockers (referred to in this preamble as the “Knicks”) won the 2026 National Basketball Association (referred to in this preamble as the “NBA”) Finals, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 by a score of 94–90 to win the series 4–1;

Whereas the Knicks were established 80 years ago in 1946;

Whereas the Knicks have called Madison Square Garden (“the Mecca”) their home since 1968;

Whereas the Knicks last won the NBA Finals 53 years ago in 1973 and last appeared in the NBA Finals 27 years ago in 1999;

Whereas the Knicks finished the 2025-2026 NBA regular season with 53 wins and 29 losses, a winning percentage of .646;

Whereas the Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers en route to the NBA Finals;

Whereas the Knicks went 16–3 in their playoff run and had the highest point differential and net rating in NBA playoff history;

Whereas the NBA Finals had the highest television ratings of any NBA Finals since 1998, the year of Michael Jordan's last NBA Finals run;

Whereas, in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, the Knicks had the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, overcoming a 29-point second half deficit to take a commanding 3–1 series lead;

Whereas, in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, OG Anunoby won the game with a tip-in with 1.2 seconds left, which many are now calling the greatest play in the history of New York sports and one of the greatest in the history of the NBA;

Whereas the Knicks came back from double digit deficits in every game they won in the NBA Finals, becoming the first team in history to do that;

Whereas Jalen Brunson was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, finishing the series with a 45-point game on the road, tying Michael Jordan for the most points scored in a closeout game on the road;

Whereas Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges became the first trio of teammates to ever win a championship together in college (Villanova) and in the NBA; and

Whereas this Knicks team united millions of New Yorkers with their grit, resilience, and unrivaled excellence: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) congratulates the New York Knicks (referred to in this resolution as the “Knicks”) on winning the 2026 National Basketball Association Finals; and

(2) recognizes the Knicks for—

(A) their ability to unite New Yorkers of all backgrounds behind a common cause;

(B) the excitement and spirit they brought to the streets of New York and basketball fans around the world; and

(C) the inspiration they provided to millions of people to believe in themselves and never give up; and

(3) respectfully directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to—

(A) the owner of the Knicks, James L. Dolan;

(B) the president of the Knicks, Leon Rose; and

(C) the coach of the Knicks, Mike Brown.