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The New York Knicks have remained winless since New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani made a viral reference to star point guard Jalen Brunson during the mayor’s inauguration speech on January 1.
The Knicks lost their fourth straight game Monday with a lopsided 121-90 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Their skid began with a close two-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs on December 31. Mamdani gave his speech early the next day, and the Knicks have gone 0-3 since, with losses to the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks by less than .500.
Many social media users pointed out that the Knicks have failed to win since the keynote speech, including comedian Michael Rapaport.
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About nine minutes into Mamdani’s Jan. 1 speech, he proclaimed that “excellence is no longer the exception,” adding that the city “expects greatness” from “our leader at Madison Square Garden.” During this remark, the mayor covered his face with his hand, appearing to replicate Brunson’s celebration, but then changed the gesture to wiping his face.
Footage of the moment spread across social media, with some Knicks fans liking the reference. But many people in the city and across the country have criticized Mamdani for his democratic socialist agenda.
Hours after taking office, New York City Mayor Mamdani targets landlords and vows to intervene in private bankruptcy case.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivers his inaugural address on Thursday, January 1, 2026, in front of City Hall. (PK Press Club/Pool)
Former Kansas City Chiefs player Chris Manno was one of many to criticize Mamdani, suggesting Brunson would “hate” the new mayor.
“The captain is going to hate this clown as soon as he finds out how much of his next contract will go to supporting those who don’t feel the need to work in this corrupt city,” Manno wrote in response to the clip on X.
However, other users praised Mamdani for the gesture and the reference during the speech.
Brunson received 27 write-in votes in the recent mayoral election.
In October, the Knicks sent a cease and desist letter to Mamdani’s campaign after he used a logo similar to the team’s for a campaign ad, PK Press Club Digital confirmed at the time.
Mamdani posted the logo on Instagram with the caption: “This is our year. This is our moment. #NewYorkForever.” The location of the message was Madison Square Garden. It has since been deleted.
In a statement, the Knicks made it clear that they “do not endorse Mr. Mamdani for mayor.”
“The New York Knicks have sent New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani a cease and desist letter for using the New York Knicks logo to promote his candidacy. The Knicks want to make it clear that we do not support Mr. Mamdani for mayor and we object to his use of our copyrighted logo. We will pursue all legal avenues to enforce our rights.”
