Knicks reportedly won’t raise 2025 NBA Cup banner to MSG rafters

According to multiple reports, the New York Knicks have decided not to add an NBA Cup championship banner to the rafters of Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 124-113 in the NBA Cup Final on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. The win was the franchise’s first championship since winning its second NBA title in 1973.

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But despite the result, he will not be recognized above the playing surface at MSG. No banners will be hung as the team is “focused on the bigger picture,” a source told the New York Post’s Stefon Bondy.

The “bigger picture” is a third NBA title after losing in 1994 to the Houston Rockets and 1999 to the Spurs.

There are plans to celebrate the NBA Cup title, however, as the Knicks will hold a ceremony before Friday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, the first two NBA Cup winners, celebrated their victories with banners at their home arenas.

Announcement

MSG already features numerous banners celebrating the successes of former Knicks and New York Rangers teams, along with numerous retired former players. There are also banners for music acts Billy Joel, Harry Styles and Phish.

When asked earlier this week, Knicks players had mixed opinions about whether to raise a banner.

“Yeah, why not? Obviously it’s a Cup, it’s a title, it’s something you want to win,” forward Josh Hart said. “So yeah, hang a banner. Obviously there’s different standards than those, Cups and Finals. But any time you want to go out there and compete and win a title, that’s what you want to do and celebrate it.”

“Nah, I’m fine. I think you’re looking for something more than that,” guard Mikel Bridges said.

“Hang something, appreciate us for something,” center Mitchell Robinson said.