New York Knicks assistant coaches did not receive their championship rings during Tuesday's title ceremony ahead of the season opener, according to a report. The Athletic reported Thursday that the coaches were handed empty boxes, in part because they had not yet been fitted for the rings. Their reaction ranged from annoyance to anger.
For some team employees in Knicks business operations and at Madison Square Garden, no rings are coming at all. Instead, they reportedly received an email last month saying "your Employee Championship Ring is here" that offered a choice of options at "no cost to you." Clicking the link informed them they had failed a phishing test and must attend a mandatory cybersecurity class.
"We are not disclosing anything about the rings," an MSG Sports spokesperson said in a statement to The Athletic. The delay in some rings also occurred for the Oklahoma City Thunder after their 2025 title, The Athletic noted.
The Knicks ended a 53-year championship drought when they defeated the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. On Tuesday, the team also raised two new banners to the rafters, one of them honoring the Knicks' win in the NBA Cup during the 2025-26 season.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing