Without doubt a historic night for all Knickerbockers fans, even though the result was not the one expected for a game like this.
Madison Square Garden dressed up in its finest for the ring ceremony honouring the 2026 champions. A night the fans had been waiting 53 years for.
The Knicks raised their third championship banner. Including a last-minute surprise, as they also hung the 2025 NBA Cup champions banner.
Two-for-one for all the fans present who had been eagerly anticipating tonight.
Before the game captain Jalen Brunson wanted to thank all the supporters for not giving up during Game 4 against San Antonio, when they trailed by 29 points at the end of the third quarter.
What a moment 🥲 The @nyknicks’ third championship banner is raised to the MSG rafters! https://t.co/k4X4Q0dr2F
— NBA (@NBA) October 20, 2026
The celebration was not complete, however, as the New Yorkers lost their league opener to the Sixers’ new mega project led by LeBron James and Jaylen Brown.
Nick Nurse’s side won a tight 106-100 game, with Maxey fundamental to their attack with 28 points.
Jalen Brunson, for his part, did not have the magic of other occasions and faded in the final stretch, with just 1 of 5 shooting in the last quarter.
The Knicks captain finished with 21 points, although on 6/19 from the field.
“I think it’s good for us to come down from the top, be humble and keep our egos in check,” Brunson admitted.
“I’ve said it before. Whatever happens during these first few weeks does not reflect at all the team we really are,” he added.
“We got ourselves into trouble by not taking care of those little details. Sometimes that works out at the end of games, but many other times it doesn’t,” coach Mike Brown acknowledged.
The Knicks raise their first NBA championship banner in 53 years to the MSG rafters! 🏆 https://t.co/tU9xsumFqN
— NBA (@NBA) October 20, 2026
Representing the club’s former champions was Walt Clyde Frazier, who handed out the new rings to the players.
Willis Reed’s widow was also present, handing the ring to Mike Brown, along with other legends of the seventies such as Bill Bradley and Earl The Pearl Monroe.
A grand celebration, though an incomplete night, as they fell short in their bid for the first win of the season.
Solid debut for Drummond
We are following Andre Drummond’s debut closely, since he is set to replace Mitchell Robinson. No easy task for him.
And the truth is that Drummond was good in his first official game with the Knicks. The centre had his minutes. He had his moments. And he also proved to be a good backup to Karl-Anthony Towns.
In 24 minutes he recorded 12 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and two blocks on 5/13 shooting.
Andre Drummond was EVERYWHERE in the 1H! 10 PTS I 12 REB (6 OREB) I 3 AST I 2 BLK He becomes the first Knick in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98) to record a first-half double-double in their Knicks debut… New York ahead at the break 🗽 https://t.co/7CqoRNC10n
— NBA (@NBA) October 21, 2026
Other highlights
Karl-Anthony Towns added another double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds; Jalen Brunson added 21 points, and teammate Josh Hart finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds.
A poor night overall for the Knicks, who shot 37% from the field and a grim 33% from three
(Cover photo: Reuters)