What to know
- The New York Knicks won the NBA championship, sparking massive celebrations across New York City.
- Videos of fans flooding the streets quickly spread across social media.
- Many Toronto Raptors fans said the scenes reminded them of the city’s 2019 championship celebrations.
- Former Raptor OG Anunoby was part of the Knicks’ title-winning squad.
- Some fans also noted the championship was won on June 13, the same date Toronto clinched its title in 2019.
The New York Knicks may have won the NBA championship, but for many Toronto basketball fans, the celebrations felt like a trip back to 2019.
After the New York Knicks captured the NBA title Friday night, videos of thousands of fans flooding city streets quickly spread across social media.
The scenes immediately triggered memories of Toronto’s own historic championship run in 2019, when the Raptors delivered Canada’s first NBA title and transformed downtown into one giant celebration.
As videos of packed New York streets, emotional fans and city-wide celebrations flooded social media following the Knicks’ title victory, Raptors supporters began sharing memories of Toronto’s own championship run seven years ago.
“Giving me 2019 Toronto vibes,” one X user wrote alongside footage of thousands of Knicks fans singing and celebrating in the streets.
Others used the moment to revisit some of Toronto’s most memorable championship scenes.
“Revisiting the best moment of the celebration on this Raptors championship anniversary,” another fan wrote, sharing footage from the Raptors’ championship night celebrations at Yonge and Dundas.
The timing wasn’t lost on basketball fans either.
The Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors to win their first NBA championship on June 13, 2019. Seven years later, the Knicks captured their title on the same date, creating another connection between the two celebrations.
Former Raptors forward OG Anunoby also became a talking point among Toronto fans after helping New York secure the championship.
“Canada watching OG Anunoby win another ring,” sports broadcaster Cabbie Richards posted alongside a celebratory meme.
Not every comparison focused on nostalgia.
Some fans contrasted Toronto’s celebrations with reports emerging from New York following the championship. One user who said they experienced both cities’ celebrations wrote: “In 2019 I was in Toronto for the Raptors win. In 2026 and I’m in NYC. Ngl, Canadians have way more decorum.”
Others predicted New York’s championship parade could rival one of Toronto’s most memorable sporting events.
“Only parade that’s going to be bigger than the Raptors parade will be the Knicks one on Thursday,” one user wrote.
While the Knicks’ championship belongs to New York, the celebrations have clearly unlocked memories for Raptors fans who still remember exactly where they were during one of the most iconic nights in Toronto sports history.
‘June 13th is an amazing day’: OG Anunoby reminisces win with Raptors
Knicks player OG Anunoby was reminded of winning a championship with the Toronto Raptors “on the same day” seven years ago after bagging another ring, this time with the New York Knicks.
Anunoby was asked by a reporter if he would consider it the “luckiest day of his life?”
“June 13th is an amazing day,” Anunoby replied.
