Tyler Kolek almost had an unfortunate end to the Knicks' NBA Championship parade after the NYPD mistook him for an overzealous fan.
The 25-year-old point guard narrowly avoided being arrested after two police officers almost tackled him to the ground when they spotted him running along the Manhattan parade route while high-fiving fans on Thursday, June 18.
In a clip shared by ESPN's Kimberley A. Martin on X, an excited Tyler enthusiastically celebrated with the crowd before he was approached and grabbed by the officers, who seemingly thought he was a fan who had jumped the barricade.
Heated words appear to have been exchanged after Tyler was briefly stopped and directed toward the exit, before the officers backed off and the NBA champ walked away.
Despite looking annoyed by the awkward interruption, Tyler later poked fun at the incident on X, writing: "I swear I'm on the team bro," followed by three laughing emojis.
The moment quickly went viral, with one fan commenting: "Get this man a Knicks roster PLEASE!!! Put some respect on Tyler Kolek's name."
This is only Tyler's second year in the NBA after he was traded to the Knicks in the 2024 draft, immediately after being picked by the Portland Trail Blazers.
© GC ImagesDespite helping the Knicks win the 2025 NBA Cup after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in December, he did not play in any of the 2026 NBA Finals games, which saw the Knicks win their first championship in 53 years after beating the Spurs in five games.
In Knicks fashion, they were slow to start in Game 5 on June 13, but, also in Knicks fashion, they made a glorious comeback, taking the lead in the ultimately 94-90 game.
© Getty ImagesAnd though the final game took place in the Spurs' home arena in Texas, the seats were packed with New Yorkers, among them beloved Knicks superfans like Spike Lee, John Turturro, Ben Stiller, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan, and more.
Other A-list fans shared their joy on social media over the Knicks' victory, with Jennifer Lopez posting a video of her reacting to the epic win.
© GC ImagesShe wrote: "Congratulations to the New York Knickerbockers, NBA Champions!!!!! I remember the last time the Knicks were making a run for the championship and rushing home every game day from the set to watch Ewing, Starks and Oakley make a hell of a run.
"We have all been waiting patiently for this day for years. Thank you for uniting our city again…for uniting the world. You restored faith, hope and belief in that there's nothing we can't do!! Hard work, goodness and teamwork pays off! You set the city on fire!! Proud to be from the block!! You already know. Knicks forever. CONGRATULATIONS!!"
© Getty ImagesFollowing the Knicks' victory, owner James Dolan confirmed that his team is heading to the White House, where they are expected to meet President Donald Trump.
"We just did receive an invitation from the White House, which we accepted," he confirmed during a WFAN Sports Radio interview on Wednesday, June 17, adding: "We still have to figure out the details."
