Knicks Assistants Reportedly Haven't Gotten NBA Championship Rings, MSG Employees Tricked by Email

New York Knicks assistant coaches didn't receive their championship rings during the team's ceremony at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

Per Vardon, assistants were informed earlier on Tuesday that they would not be getting their rings that evening and would obtain them at a later date instead. The Oklahoma City Thunder similarly didn't give out rings to assistants and some executives on opening night following the organization's 2025 title, although other organizations did.

Vardon also reported that many longtime employees at Madison Square Garden won't receive Knicks rings, although an email was previously sent to a "long list" of MSG staff members in which they were asked to choose the design of their "complimentary employee championship ring."

The email turned out to be a phishing test that MSG sent to see if employees would click, per Vardon. If they did, they did not get to choose any design and were required to attend a mandatory cybersecurity class instead.

Knicks players were individually presented with their championship jewelry before raising a banner to commemorate their title in a ceremony prior to a season-opening matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers.

New York previously defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games during the 2026 NBA Finals, ending the organization's 53-year championship drought.