The New York Knicks are NBA champions for the first time since 1973, and the celebration is already producing moments that transcend the sport.
After closing out the San Antonio Spurs in five games — despite trailing by double digits in every contest — the Knicks earned a parade and a place in New York sports history. But it was one demand from a role player that caught the attention of a Rangers legend.
Josh Hart, the Knicks’ do-it-all forward, made it clear that his playoff performance earned him a new title. Following the Game 5 clincher, Hart posted on X: “FROM NOW ON ADDRESS ME AS CHAMP.”
Henrik Lundqvist, the former Rangers goaltender and a Madison Square Garden icon, responded with a salute emoji and a pair of sunglasses — a clear sign he was ready to comply. The exchange showcased the cross-sport respect among New York athletes and fans, especially those who share the Garden as their home arena.
Hart wasn’t just talking. During the Knicks’ 19-game postseason run, he averaged 10.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists. In Game 5, he posted 13 points and 11 rebounds, and his plus-15 rating reflected his impact on both ends of the floor. Jalen Brunson stole the headlines with his 45-point eruption in the clincher, but Hart’s all-around game was a major reason the Knicks never lost control after falling behind early.
“He plays with a chip on his shoulder,” a team source told reporters after the game. “That’s how he’s always been. The championship just gave him the platform to say it out loud.”
Lundqvist, who spent 15 seasons with the Rangers and never won a Stanley Cup, appeared happy to salute a fellow Garden resident who finally reached the mountaintop. The post drew tens of thousands of likes and replies from Knicks fans who appreciated the acknowledgment from one of New York’s most beloved athletes.
For Hart, the demand is likely to stick. For everyone else, the message was clear: Call him champ — or don’t call him at all.
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