enthusiastic reactions

Jennifer Lopez and Cardi B celebrate the New York Knicks' historic win


The New York Knicks captured their first NBA championship since 1973 with a thrilling Game 5 victory over the San Antonio Spurs


The New York Knicks captured their first NBA championship since 1973 with a thrilling Game 5 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Music stars including Cardi B, Fat Joe, Alicia Keys, and Jennifer Lopez shared emotional reactions as New York City erupted in celebration
Shirley GomezSenior Writer
JUNE 15, 2026 9:56 AM EDT

Celebrities rejoice as the New York Knicks are NBA champions once again. After the big victory, some of music's biggest names are celebrating alongside millions of fans across the city. On Saturday (June 13), the Knicks secured their first NBA title in 53 years with a hard-fought 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in a nerve-wracking yet exciting and unexpected Game 5 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 

The historic win ended one of the longest championship droughts in professional sports and sparked celebrations throughout New York City. The event also saw Karl-Anthony Towns make history as the second Dominican-descended player to win an NBA title, after basketball superstar Al Horford became the first player from the Dominican Republic to win an NBA championship.

 Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. © Getty Images
Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.

Among the most enthusiastic reactions came from also Dominican Cardi B, who shared her excitement in a lively Instagram Live broadcast moments after the final buzzer sounded.

The Bronx rapper jumped out of bed and ran through her home screaming, "Oh my God!" and "We won!" as she celebrated the franchise's long-awaited championship. 

Cardi B performs during halftime between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks in Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.© Getty Images
Cardi B performs during halftime between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks in Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals.

Later in the video, Cardi explained that she had no intention of staying home after the victory. "The streets are calling me," she said multiple times as she prepared to join the citywide celebrations.

Representing the Nuyorican community, longtime Knicks superfan Fat Joe also marked the milestone on social media. The Bronx native, who has spent years supporting the team from courtside seats at Madison Square Garden, reflected on the significance of the moment. "Never give up," the rapper captioned an Instagram photo of himself posing with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.

Spike Lee and Fat Joe celebrate following a New York Knicks victory vs San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden.  Game 4. © Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Spike Lee and Fat Joe celebrate following a New York Knicks victory vs San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Game 4.

Fat Joe also shared several additional posts from the celebration, including a courtside video featuring Manhattan native actor Timothée Chalamet and actress Teyana Taylor as Knicks fans soaked up the championship atmosphere. Later in the night, Chalamet went viral after he was captured celebrating in the locker room alongside the new champions. 

Timothee Chalamet celebrates with Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five.© Getty Images
Timothee Chalamet celebrates with Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five.

Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys joined the festivities by spotlighting the scene unfolding across New York City. She posted a video showing thousands of fans flooding the streets following the win, with crowds singing along to "Empire State of Mind," her iconic 2009 collaboration with Jay-Z that has become synonymous with New York pride. "Empire State of Mind!!!!!!" Keys captioned the post.

Another proud Nuyorican moment came after Jennifer Lopez delivered one of the night's most emotional tributes. The Bronx-born superstar shared a video of herself watching the final moments of the game from home. As the clock expired, Lopez leaped from her seat before collapsing onto her couch in disbelief. "Yes!" and "Oh, my God!" she shouted while celebrating the championship victory.

Jennifer Lopez attends Lakers-Spurs Game 4 of Western Conference Semifinals at The Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, United States. © WireImage
Jennifer Lopez attends Lakers-Spurs Game 4 of Western Conference Semifinals at The Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, United States.

Lopez later accompanied the video with a heartfelt message reflecting on her decades-long connection to the team and what the championship means to New Yorkers. "Congratulations to the New York Knickerbockers, NBA Champions!!!!!" Lopez wrote. "I remember the last time the Knicks were making a run for the championship and rushing home every game day from the set to watch Ewing, Starks, and Oakley make a hell of a run."

The singer and actress went on to acknowledge the patience of Knicks fans who waited more than five decades for another title. "We have all been waiting patiently for this day for years. Thank you for uniting our city again…for uniting the world. You restored faith, hope and belief in that there's nothing we can't do!! Hard work, goodness and teamwork pays off! You set the city on fire!! Proud to be from the block!! You already know. Knicks forever. CONGRATULATIONS!! Love, Jenny."

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The championship victory instantly became one of the most memorable moments in modern New York sports history. Fans poured into the streets across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, celebrating a diverse team that had not lifted the Larry O'Brien Trophy since 1973.

New York Knicks fans climb on buses as they celebrate after they win the NBA Finals in Times Square on June 14, 2026 in New York City. © Getty Images
New York Knicks fans climb on buses as they celebrate after they win the NBA Finals.

For a franchise that has endured decades of heartbreak, near misses, and rebuilding seasons, the win represented more than a championship. It marked the end of a 53-year wait and provided a unifying moment for a city known for its passionate sports culture.