Photos: NYC the Last Time the Knicks Won the NBA Championship - Goodfest

Cue the Frank Sinatra song — New Yorkers are on top of the world this week.

After a 53-year-long drought, the New York Knicks are finally able to bring the Larry O’Brien championship trophy to New York City and celebrate with their loyal fans, who haven’t given up in more than half a century.

Here’s what life was like in New York City the last time the New York Knickerbockers were world champs.

The last time the New York Knicks won an NBA championship was in 1973. Here’s the team celebrating their win at City Hall.

At City Hall, the Knicks were introduced at a reception. There was no ticker tape parade due to a financial crisis.

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Knicks champs Jerry Lucas, Willis Reed, and Bill Bradley celebrated at the airport, too.

There was no ticker-tape parade because the then-mayor, John V. Lindsay, wanted to cut costs and avoid disruptions, calling for smaller celebrations instead.

Mayor of New York John Lindsay (1921 - 2000) is pictured with the skyline of lower Manhattan behind him, two days before the end of his second term in office, December 29th 1973. — Lindsay was mayor from 1966 to 1973.

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It was a big year for New York City. The World Trade Center was officially dedicated in April 1973.

View of Manhattan Skyline from Brooklyn — The World Trade Center was under construction from 1966 to 1975, but dedicated in 1973.

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The year 1973 was the Year of the Ox. There were street celebrations, much like today.

Chinese dancers throw firecrackers into the path of the Lion as they usher in the Year of the Ox with a drum-and-dragon ceremony, along Mott Street in the Chinatown neighbourhood of New York City, New York, 3rd February 1973. The Lion, owned by the various societies, is shown as it visits society members establishments. — Chinese dancers threw firecrackers into the path of the Lion during a ceremony in February 1973. NYC’s first Lunar New Year parade was in 1888.

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Source: Lower East Side History Project

Here’s what Coney Island looked like that summer. It remained popular throughout the 1970s, despite the city’s financial crises.

'Tornado' Rollercoaster, Coney Island — Coney Island’s Astroland Park in July 1973.

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Just like they do today, kids flocked to the carnival games, but they cost 50 cents back then, not $3.

View of a group of people in front of a gaming booth at Coney Island's Astroland Park, Brooklyn, New York, New York, July 22, 1973. — A group of people in front of a gaming booth at Coney Island’s Astroland Park in July 1973.

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The subway was a little worse for wear in 1973, with many cars covered in graffiti.

A subway car marked with extensive graffiti, New York City, New York, May, 1973. I — A subway car marked with extensive graffiti in May 1973.

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One ride cost 35 cents. Now, a subway ride is $3.

Broadway Local subway car with graffiti, New York City, New York, May, 1973 — It’s still a pretty good deal to get from the northernmost part of the Bronx to Coney Island for just $3.

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The Knicks weren’t the only sports story out of NYC in ’73. Secretariat completed his historic Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes near Queens.

Secretariat at Belmont Park — Secretariat was the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years.

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Also in 1973, the New York Mets reached the World Series in October, despite being in last place in August.

Yogi Berra, Tug McGraw, and Willie Mays — New York Mets manager Yogi Berra, pitcher Tug McGraw, and Willie Mays after the Mets won the second game of the 1973 World Series.

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The Knicks played at Madison Square Garden, an iconic venue. In July 1973, rock legends Led Zeppelin recorded a concert film there.

Led Zeppelin Live At Madison Square Garden — Bassist John Paul Jones, drummer John Bonham, singer Robert Plant, and guitarist Jimmy Page performed live onstage during a concert at Madison Square Garden in July 1973.

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John Lennon was also spotted walking around the city, where he lived until his death in 1980.

Former Beatle John Lennon poses for a photo circa 1973 in New York City, New York. — Former Beatle John Lennon posed for a photo in New York City circa 1973.

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While a lot has changed in the city, some things remain the same.

Fans celebrate the New York Knicks' win over the Milwaukee Bucks, 4-1, in the Eastern NBA Playoffs at the Garden. — Fans celebrated the New York Knicks’ win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden.

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One thing that has remained the same in 53 years? New Yorkers love the Knicks.

New York Knicks fans climb on buses as they celebrate after they win the NBA Finals in Times Square on June 14, 2026 in New York City. — New York Knicks fans climbed on buses as they celebrated after they won the NBA Finals in Times Square in 2026.

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