Timothee Chalamet, Adam Sandler director Josh Safdie behind Nike’s emotional Knicks championship ad

NEW YORK CITY, NY – The New York Knicks are 2026 NBA Champions for the first time in 53 years as one of the most prominent fan bases in all sports finally witnesses greatness once again. A vast majority of human beings saw a Knicks’ championship for the first time in one of the more emotional Finals finishes and celebrations seen in recent memory. Nike was quick to enlist the help of filmmaker and diehard Knicks fan Josh Safdie in releasing the perfect ad during the long hours of celebration in New York City.

This Knicks NBA Playoff run was one of the most dominant efforts ever as New York went 16-3 overall with a +283 point differential, the most in NBA history. The world’s biggest stars and devoted Knicks fans like Timothee Chalamet, Adam Sandler, Spike Lee, Larry David, and many others were courtside to witness the incredible run.

Josh Safdie, director of Marty Supreme (2025) and Uncut Gems (2019) starring Chalamet and Sandler, grew up in New York City and has been a lifelong Knicks fan. He’s a regular at Madison Square Garden and was seen on numerous occasions throughout these NBA Playoffs supporting his favorite team. It was only right that the NY native shot Nike’s post-championship ad campaign with his intense style to fully encapsulate what this run has meant to the city.

Nike ‘Knicks Championship’ spot

Sleep well, NY. pic.twitter.com/xg9JLLKT4K

— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) June 14, 2026

Josh Safdie was in his bag for Nike’s New York Knicks championship ad making sure emotions were felt with this Nike ad

Safdie was also the director behind the films ‘Uncut Gems’ and ‘Marty Supreme’.

: getty : @nikebasketball pic.twitter.com/YnhIc9nzhM

— Complex Sneakers (@ComplexSneakers) June 14, 2026

The ad features a Knicks fan running through the streets of Manhattan with a shaky camera focused on the fans while the city speeds by him in true Safdie fashion. The spot is set to Billy Joel’s 1994 classic “New York State of Mind” as the Knicks fan finally ends his chase at the front of Madison Square Garden, only to be met with crowds of fans already gathering outside to celebrate the championship.

Taking one final deep breath, almost in a sign of relief, the fan smiles and looks up to the crowd of blue and orange. The words “Never slept.” flash across the screen, followed by “Always dreamed.” and a fade to black.

The ad captures the Knick’s historic run in a frantic 40 seconds, perfectly encapsulating what it’s meant to be a fan of the Knicks for so long and what it’s meant to live in the city of New York during such a magical time.

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