Undoubtedly a historic night for all Knickerbockers fans, even though the result ultimately wasn’t the one expected for a game of such magnitude.
Madison Square Garden dressed in its finest attire to headline the ring ceremony as champions of 2026. A night they’d been waiting for 53 years.
The Knicks raised their third banner as champions. Included a last-minute surprise, as they also unfurled the NBA Cup 2025 champions banner.
A twofold treat for all their fans in attendance who were eagerly awaiting this night.
Before the game, captain Jalen Brunson wanted to thank all his followers for not abandoning that Game 4 against San Antonio when they were down by 29 points at the end of the third period.
What a moment 🥲
The @nyknicks’ third championship banner is raised to the MSG rafters! https://t.co/k4X4Q0dr2F
— NBA (@NBA) October 20, 2026
Nevertheless, the celebration could not be complete, as the New Yorkers fell in their season opener to the Sixers’ new mega project led by LeBron James and Jaylen Brown.
The Nick Nurse-led squad won by a tight 106-100, with Maxey being pivotal in their attack, tallying 28 points.
Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson did not have the magic of past occasions, fading in the late stretch with just a 1-of-5 showing in the final period.
The Knicks captain finished with 21 points, though on a 6-for-19 shooting line.
“I think it’s good for us to come down from the summit, stay humble, and keep our egos in check,” Brunson admitted.
“I’ve said it before. No matter what happens during these first weeks, it doesn’t reflect at all the team we really are,” he added.
“We got ourselves into trouble by not taking care of those small details. Sometimes that works down the stretch, but many times it doesn’t,” acknowledged coach Mike Brown.
The Knicks raise their first NBA championship banner in 53 years to the MSG rafters! 🏆 https://t.co/tU9xsumFqN
— NBA (@NBA) October 20, 2026
As the emblematic representative of the former champions stood Walt Clyde Frazier, who was in charge of distributing the new rings to the players.
Also present was the widow of Willis Reed, who handed the ring to Mike Brown, along with other seventies legends such as Bill Bradley and Earl The Pearl Monroe.
A celebration to the max, though an incomplete night, as they fell short in their pursuit of the season’s first victory.
Solid Debut for Drummond
The debut of Andre Drummond was watched closely, given that he is slated to replace Mitchell Robinson. A task by no means easy for him.
And the truth is that Drummond looked solid in his first official game with the Knicks. The center logged minutes. He had his moments. And he also proved to be a good backup to Karl Anthony-Towns.
In 24 minutes he posted 12 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and two blocks on a 5/13 shooting line.
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 Standouts
Karl-Anthony Towns recorded another double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds; Jalen Brunson added 21 points, and his teammate Josh Hart closed with 14 points and 7 rebounds.
A poor night overall for the Knicks who connected on 37% of their field goals and a muted 33% from three.
