Jose Alvarado didn’t take long to take the Knicks’ NBA championship celebration back to the streets of New York.
Less than 24 hours after a Game 5 win over Spurs in San Antonio to clinch the title, the Knicks guard was back in New York, celebrating his heritage in one of the city’s annual Puerto Rican Day parades.
He did so alongside New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who’s been basking in the Knicks’ win alongside the rest of New York. Both fronted a float as it cruised through the streets of Alvarado’s native Brooklyn. Alvarado did so while sporting his newly earned Knicks championship hat.
When handed a microphone, Alvarado summed up his state of mind the day after the Knicks won the franchise’s first NBA title since 1973.
“I’m blessed,” Alvarado said. “And a little drunk.”
Alvarado’s teammate, Jordan Clarkson, also made an appearance.
Alvarado was born in Brooklyn. He’s played for the Puerto Rican basketball team in multiple international competitions, including the 2024 Olympics in Paris. He takes great pride in his Puerto Rican heritage and draped himself in the Puerto Rican flag Saturday night during the postgame celebration.
The Puerto Rican Day parades a day after the title-game win lined up perfectly for Alvarado to celebrate both.
Jose Alvarado holds the Larry O’Brien trophy while draped in the Puerto Rican flag after the Knicks won the NBA championship Saturday night.
(Gregory Shamus via Getty Images)
As for Mamdani, who said he stayed up until 3:45 Sunday morning celebrating the title, he was ready to celebrate Puerto Rican Day across New York, including in Manhattan’s larger celebration earlier in the day.
He did so while sporting a Knicks jersey under his suit jacket.
“We’ve been waiting for this for 53 years, and it just feels like the entire city is alive, Mamdani told reporters Sunday morning. “The biggest city in the country feels like the smallest town in the world.”
Mamdani, Alvarado and the rest of New York will have a chance to celebrate the Knicks again on Thursday during a championship parade in Manhattan.
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