The New York Knicks celebrated their first NBA ring ceremony in 53 years at Madison Square Garden before their 2026-27 season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers. Team owner James Dolan and the staff played an important role in organizing the celebration and making the occasion memorable. Hence, Knicks head coach Mike Brown extended his appreciation to Dolan.

In the press conference, Brown made sure to recognize Dolan and the other members of the organization for their efforts in delivering a successful celebration.

“I would like to give, and I don't know who was behind it, but you know, obviously starting with Mr. Dolan and everybody else, you know, did a fantastic job with the ceremony.

“So I would like to acknowledge, you know, everybody else who was behind it. You know, okay, like you said, everybody, you know, you guys did a fantastic job; they weren't mud like us, so thank you.”

The Knicks' ring ceremony was a dream come true for the franchise and its supporters, as the celebration honored the team's first NBA championship since 1973. The players received their championship rings in front of a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd.

Hall of Famer Walt Frazier, who played on the Knicks' previous championship-winning teams in 1970 and 1973, presented the rings. His participation connected the franchise's championship past with its latest success.

Article Continues Below

The celebration also marked the beginning of a new challenge for New York. After spending the offseason enjoying its championship success, the Knicks had to shift their focus toward defending their title and proving that they could maintain their position among the NBA's elite teams.

However, Jalen Brunson's team could not sustain its championship celebrations for long on Tuesday, as the 76ers handed the Knicks a 106-100 loss in their season opener.