Carmelo Anthony gifts young fan NBA Finals tickets after NY’s ECF sweep cost him birthday gift

Jun 4, 2026 - 00:30

Carmelo Anthony just made a memorable moment for a young fan.

The Knicks legend surprised the young fan who has the NBA star’s namesake with playoff tickets to Madison Square Garden for his 12th birthday. The young fan’s family surprised him with tickets to Game 5 at Madison Square Garden for the Eastern Conference Finals, but it was ultimately canceled when the Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games.

Angelisa Rios, who spent $1700 for her son to attend the game, was still excited for the Knicks’ advancement despite no longer being able to see his favorite team in the iconic arena.

“He was okay with it and said everything happens for a reason!” Rios told People.

@angelisariosphotography
Knicks in FOUR and Carmelo is okay with that! @New York Knicks #knicks #nyknicks #msg #nba
♬ Into The Light – Brand X Music

Rios took a video of her son after the Knicks swept the Cavaliers and it went viral on social media. While the video was viewed by thousands of others, it was also seen by the Knicks legend. Rios was then able to get in contact with Fanatics who were able to help surprise her son again.

“When they contacted me, I knew the intention was to make it happen, but I also understood that it would take so many hands to make this come alive and nothing was guaranteed,” Rios said. “I knew so many people wanted to make it happen…but would it happen, I just didn’t know.”

Then Tuesday night, the Knicks fan was gifted with a custom Knicks jersey, two tickets to Game 4 of the NBA Finals at MSG, and a surprise message from Carmelo himself.

Rios said that her son was left “stunned” by the generous gift.

“At the end of the day, they went above and beyond,” she says.

@fanatics
UPDATE: Carmelo is headed to the NBA finals Fanatics and THE Carmelo Anthony saw the story and surprised him with tickets to Game 4 at The Garden. And this time dad knows about it!! GO KNICKS
♬ original sound – Fanatics