NYPD officers stop Knicks player Tyler Kolek during championship parade in viral moment
Knicks’ championship parade brings New York together
Millions of fans gather in New York City for the Knicks’ championship ticker tape parade following their historic NBA Finals victory. NYPD officers are stationed along the route, expecting up to four million people to celebrate. This event marks a magical moment for the city and brings die-hard and casual fans together in celebration.
Law enforcement and security of all kinds were present on the streets of New York City on Thursday as the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals victory parade sent the Big Apple into a frenzy of celebration.
The main goal? Keep everyone safe and make sure things don’t go overboard, like the various watch parties and post-win celebrations held during the team’s historic playoff run.
Unfortunately, several NYPD officers went viral for not recognizing one of the Knicks players.
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Tyler Kolek of the New York Knicks poses for a portrait after winning Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE)
Sophomore guard Tyler Kolek, who played nearly 12 minutes per game during the regular season and appeared near the end of eight games during the team’s playoff run, was seen running along the barricades on Broadway; There were high fives from fans who wanted to see him and celebrate together.
But as Kolek was running, a police officer got in his way, grabbed his arms, and apparently told him to stop running. Another officer also put his hand on Kolek’s arm before someone intervened, presumably telling officers he was on the championship squad.
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In the incumbent’s defense, Kolek isn’t the most well-known Knicks player on the roster, especially considering how little he played throughout the year. But understandably, he wasn’t too happy about being stopped.
But when someone tweeted, “Security almost got hold of Tyler Kolek,” Kolek remained unconcerned about X.
Tyler Kolek and Landry Shamet of the New York Knicks celebrate the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after winning the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE)
“I swear I’m on the team bro,” he wrote on the tweet with laughing emojis.
Despite this misunderstanding, security was on alert as tens of thousands of Knicks fans filled the streets along the “Canyon of Heroes” for the championship ceremony, which began in Battery Park and ended at City Hall, where the team addressed the crowd along with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and others.
Even at City Hall there was a problem with the parade; The Mayor hung up Patrick Ewing’s retired No. 33 jersey for a Knicks player who barely saw the court. Every player on the championship roster had their number and last name on the banner, but Dillon Jones, who played just 39 minutes for the Knicks all season, had number 33 on his banner.
Tyler Kolek of the New York Knicks looks on during the Knicks 2026 Championship Parade and Ceremony on June 18, 2026 in New York City. (David L. Nemec/NBAE)
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Jones was the No. 1 pick on the Knicks, but they had Ewing’s retired No. 33 on the roster.
The parade was the first parade by a team in the four major professional sports leagues through the Canyon of Heroes since the New York Giants won Super Bowl XLVI in 2012.
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