Three-time Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet expressed his preference for the New York Knicks winning an NBA championship over receiving an Academy Award after they ended a 53-year title drought. Following the Knicks' 4-1 victory against the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals on Saturday, Chalamet stated, "Way rather this than the Oscars. Come on, baby. Knicks are champions, baby."

The Knicks secured their first title since 1973, with Chalamet being a prominent courtside fan throughout the playoffs, even skipping the Met Gala to support his team before traveling to San Antonio for the decisive game. After the final buzzer, he was seen celebrating on the court with players, including Karl-Anthony Towns.

Inside the locker room, Chalamet participated in the traditional champagne spray, humorously declining protective goggles, saying:

I don’t deserve them. I’m not an athlete.

Celebrities like Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, and Tracy Morgan joined him at the Finals, while stars like Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld, and Taylor Swift cheered from courtside in New York. Stiller expressed immense joy, calling the win "as happy as I’ve ever felt," and Mariska Hargitay labeled Game 4’s comeback as "the greatest night of my life."

The Knicks' victory was especially meaningful for fans, who celebrated across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, chanting "Let’s go Knicks" amid fireworks and car horns. Public watch parties attracted thousands, including 5,000 fans in Bryant Park.

Jalen Brunson, the Knicks' captain, had a standout performance in Game 5, scoring 45 points and earning the Finals MVP award. He remarked, "I have no words. I don’t know what I’m feeling. I’m in awe."

In response to the victory, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a ticker-tape parade to celebrate the win, stating, "For more than 50 years, New Yorkers have waited for this moment. This team fulfilled that hope with grit, resilience and heart — just like the five boroughs itself."