Knicks Legend Goes Viral With Jalen Brunson in Championship Photo

The New York Knicks‘ massive championship win in this year’s NBA Finals marked the franchise’s first since 1973, making it a long-time coming for many fans and players who endured disappointing seasons and postseason failures.

Fans and superfans appeared at games throughout the team’s postseason run, showing their support for this year’s squad. Among them were celebrities, including Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, Tracy Morgan, Timothee Chalamet, and John McEnroe.

Former Knicks players and legends also attended the games, and many went to last night’s Game 4 in San Antonio. Several members of the 1980s and 1990s Knicks teams that fought against Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls were there.

They included Charles Oakley, John Starks, and Patrick Ewing, the latter of whom is considered one of the greatest Knicks players ever, despite failing to claim any championships.

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In a postgame photo session, Ewing appeared alongside this year’s Knicks hero and Finals MVP, Jalen Brunson, who became a legend with this impressive run, scoring 45 points to make sure his team left San Antonio with the Larry O’Brien trophy.

“Picture Perfect,” the New York Knicks social media team wrote in their message along with the photo of Ewing holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy and grinning beside the MVP.

That led to over 47,000 likes and 300-plus comments from various individuals reacting to the special moment for the two legends.

“For any Knicks fans in their late 40s people have no idea how much this picture right here means to us…,” a commenter wrote in the replies.

“Wish Pat had a chance to do this as a player; he sure as [expletive] deserved it. But this is the next best thing,” someone said.

Another X commenter said: “I remember being in high school in the 90’s and it was always a sad end but now is New York’s time. Congratulations New York!!! Well deserved.”

Others commented: “I hope Pat get a ring too since he's an ambassador,” and “What a legend I’m so glad new York won !!!!”

Ewing is definitely a legend, with a 17-year NBA career, and the bulk of his time spent playing for New York as a dominant big man. The 11-time All-Star had his No. 33 retired by the Knicks and is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as one of several legends from his era who never claimed a championship.

Many believe that Ewing, Charles Barkley, and other greats would have at least one ring if MJ’s Bulls weren’t in the way. So this 2026 Knicks championship feels like it very much belongs to Ewing and other former Knicks who battled for years but never hoisted the trophy.

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This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 1:06 PM.