Vintage photos show what New York City was like the last time the Knicks were NBA champions
Jun 15, 2026 - 14:50
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New York Knicks guard Walt Frazier during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden in 1973.
AP
The New York Knicks won their first NBA championship since 1973 on Saturday.
It's been a long 53 years for long-suffering New Yorkers.
Here's what the Big Apple was like the last time the Knicks were world champs.
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 World Championship Knicks are introduced at City Hall reception. Dean Meminger, Phil Jackson, John Gianelli, Dave DeBusschere, Dick Barnett, Henry Bibby, Bill Bradley, Jerry Lucas, Earl Monroe and Harthorne Wingo. Coach Red Holzman (front row, left) and Garden officials Ned Irish (2d l.) and Irving Mitchell Felt sit with Mayor Lindsay.
James Hughes/NY Daily News/Getty Images
Knicks champs Jerry Lucas, Willis Reed, and Bill Bradley celebrated at the airport, too.
MAY 11: Jerry Lucas, Willis Reed and Bill Bradley (l. to r.) begin the New York Knicks' celebration of the NBA championship after leaving Kennedy Airport.
New York Daily News Archive/NY Daily News/Getty Images
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.
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It was a big year for New York City. The World Trade Center was officially dedicated in April 1973.
NEW YORK: In sharp contrast to the decay of the Brooklyn waterfront, the splendor that is "The City" sparkles in the early darkness of a New York night. The East River bridges the old and the new. And the newest of the new are the titanic Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, the concrete "kings" of the isle of Manhattan. The dethroned Empire State Building is not shown in this view of the city's financial and municipal district nestled in the harbor's heart.
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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.
Here's what Coney Island looked like that summer. It remained popular throughout the 1970s, despite the city's financial crises.
View, along West 12th Street (near Bowery Street), of the 'Tornado' roller coaster (formerly named 'Bob's Coaster') at Coney Island's Astroland Park, Brooklyn, New York, New York, July 22, 1973. Also visible (center) is the 'Haunted Mansion' attraction.
Walter Leporati/Getty Images
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.
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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.
Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
One ride cost 35 cents. Now, a subway ride is $3.
Broadway Local subway car with graffiti, New York City, New York, May, 1973
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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.
SEPTEMBER 16: Secretariat at Belmont Park
New York Daily News Archive/Getty Images
Also in 1973, the New York Mets reached the World Series in October, despite being in last place in August.
It's all smiles for New York Mets manager Yogi Berra (L), pitcher Tug McGraw, and Willie Mays after the Mets won the second game of the 1973 World Series at the Oakland Coliseum by a score of 10-7 over the Oakland A's. McGraw pitched six innings in relief and retired the A's 1-2-3 in four of them for the Mets.
Bettmann/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
The Knicks played at Madison Square Garden, an iconic venue. In July 1973, rock legends Led Zeppelin recorded a concert film there.
From left, bassist John Paul Jones, drummer John Bonham, singer Robert Plant and guitarist Jimmy Page perform live on stage during a concert by English rock band Led Zeppelin on the third of three nights at Madison Square Garden, New York City on 29th July 1973. The concert movie 'The Song Remains the Same' was filmed over the three nights from 27th to 29th July at the venue.
David Redfern/Getty Images
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.
Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images
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.
Dan Farrell/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images
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.
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