New York celebrates Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years
After a 53-year wait, the New York Knicks won their first NBA championship, sparking celebrations across New York City. Thousands of fans lined the streets of Manhattan for a historic parade, turning a Thursday workday into a spontaneous celebration as the city paid tribute to its victorious team.
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If you can dream it, you can achieve it — that’s the mindset of New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. heading into the second half of the 2026 MLB season.
In 2024, Chisholm and the Yankees were poised to end New York’s “Big Four” sports league championship drought. The Los Angeles Dodgers, the team the Yankees will begin their second half against Friday night in the Bronx, finished this five-game Fall Classic in their favor.
But Chisholm got to see what a title parade looks like in New York last month, as the New York Knicks ended a 53-year drought and threw the five boroughs and surrounding tri-state area into a total frenzy of joy, tears and countless other emotions.
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Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees smiles during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts on June 25, 2026. (Photos Natalie Reid/MLB)
It’s the obvious goal of every MLB team to win the World Series in October, especially for the 27-time pinstripe champions. But Chisholm told PK Press Club Digital that his conversations with Knicks players during their NBA title celebration only increased his need to hoist a trophy himself.
“Me and a few of my teammates talked about it, and a few [Knicks] talked about it too. I talked to Jalen about it and just saw what it felt like. Hearing it in his voice and him getting goosebumps again talking about it. It’s just a feeling you want to have,” Chisholm said, while highlighting his collaboration with Corona on their limited-edition Beach Connect Series jerseys.
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“I talk to my boys about it, and we all agree.”
Chisholm, an impending free agent, wouldn’t even discuss the future after the World Series because he wants to stay in the present as the Yankees try to solidify their playoff spot.
It’s been a tough few weeks for New York before the All-Star break, but they ripped off four straight wins to regain their momentum before the reset.
They also played without their three-time MVP slugger Aaron Judge, who remains out with a rib injury. Although his recovery has taken longer than expected – Judge has not been cleared to participate in baseball activities – the Yankees captain remains in good spirits, helping his team wherever he can.
Josh Hart of the New York Knicks and Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees talk before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium in New York. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)
“He’s still a big voice for us in the clubhouse. He goes to a lot of road games where he doesn’t have to,” Chisholm said. “He could stay home and rest and do his rehab, but he always makes it a point to come be with the boys and try to help us lead. Even if he can’t help us on the field, he tries to help us when he can off the field. We always rally around him.
“He’s always the most positive guy in the clubhouse every day, so we can’t wait to get him back and get everything moving.”
Judge is crucial to the Yankees’ World Series hopes, as they look to hoist their first trophy since the 2009 season. To the Yankees and their fans, it seems like a century, but Chisholm knows he and his teammates will continue to fight to end this drought.
He wants to be on the float, just like the Knicks.
“You dream about it sometimes,” Chisholm admitted. “You’re sitting there, you have to sleep, and you wake up going, ‘Dang, that’s what I want.’ I dreamed that we were celebrating in the parade after we won the World Series and New York was going as crazy as it was for the Knicks for us. That’s all we’re looking for.”
Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees celebrates his two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Detroit on June 23, 2026. (Paul Sancya/Associated Press)
THE “LA PLAYA” MENTALITY COMES TO LIFE
The All-Star break signifies the peak of summer, which Corona used to help fans savor the moment with six Corona Beach Connect Series jerseys, all co-designed by six MLB All-Stars, including Chisholm.
Alongside Chisholm, Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves, Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs, Jeremy Peña of the Houston Astros and Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies each added their style to a jersey inspired by their beach memories.
Corona’s Beach Connect Series brings together six MLB stars, including Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees, to help fans savor the summer days where baseball and beach life connect. (Crown)
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For Chisholm, the first-ever Bahamian All-Star in MLB history showcased his fashion skills with vibrant colors, textures and sounds of his island home. There’s turquoise water, pink sand, musicians out front to pay homage to his love of music off the field, and a conch shell patch that’s a meaningful nod to his roots.
“I just feel like it’s been an inspiration for how I grew up, where I’m from, the person I am. I feel like Corona and I have a lot in common, especially with the beach mindset,” Chisholm said. “I feel like the beach mindset is my normal mindset, you know what I mean? It’s all about relaxation, music, seafood. It’s playing in the sand with your family. Just enjoying the day, relaxing and relaxing. So that’s what I feel like we came up with with this concept.”
