The New York Knicks didn’t just win the 2026 NBA championship — they celebrated like a team that had been waiting decades for this moment. And in the middle of the champagne showers and locker-room chaos, one of the most disciplined players on the roster made a decision that surprised even his closest teammates.
OG Anunoby doesn’t drink. Never has, at least not publicly. But after the Knicks closed out the San Antonio Spurs, the forward spotted a bottle of tequila blanco and decided to join the party.
The result? A moment that quickly became the talk of the Knicks’ postgame celebration.
One Swig, Instant Regret
Fred Katz of The Athletic captured the scene in vivid detail. According to Katz, Anunoby grabbed the bottle, lifted it to his mouth, and took a long pull — as if he’d found water after days in the desert. But his body had other plans.
“He started to cough. The tequila poured down his face. He screamed,” Katz wrote. “As he yelped from the burning in his chest, he laughed, uncontrollably.”
It was, by all accounts, the most authentic rookie-drinking-moment you’ll ever see from a veteran who just helped bring a title to New York. Teammates reportedly howled with laughter. No one was surprised Anunoby couldn’t handle it — but everyone was thrilled he tried.
Why This Matters Beyond the Laughs
Anunoby’s decision to break his no-alcohol streak wasn’t just a funny footnote. It says something about the culture the Knicks have built. The guy who rarely shows emotion on the court, who plays with mechanical precision and a quiet intensity, let loose in the most human way possible.
“I’ve never seen him like that,” one team source told reporters, though the organization has not confirmed the quote. “He’s the last guy you’d expect to grab a bottle of tequila. But that’s what winning does.”
The moment also underscores what Anunoby has meant to this team. His tip-in in Game 4 saved the Knicks from falling into a 3-1 hole. Manhattan Borough President Brady Hoylman-Sigal declared June 11, 2026, “OG Anunoby Appreciation Day.” The Mets invited him to throw out the first pitch. And fans online noted that his tequila fail might be the most relatable thing he’s ever done.
Will he try again? With the Knicks likely celebrating for another week — and maybe longer — it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Anunoby take another swig. His body may not be ready, but the moment certainly is.
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