The ESPYs on 15 July 2026 continued New York's celebration of the Knicks' NBA Championship, with a lineup of hip-hop artists from the city performing during the ceremony at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theater. The show followed weeks of Knicks-related festivities, including a Wu-Tang Clan halftime performance that reportedly energised the team during a major comeback, and reflected the close ties between New York's rap scene and the newly crowned champions.

De La Soul opened proceedings with a medley featuring "Stakes Is High" and "Run It Back!!", followed by Slick Rick performing an abridged "La Di Da Di" and Ghostface Killah delivering "Cherchez LaGhost" alongside tributes to fellow Wu-Tang members Raekwon and Ol' Dirty Bastard. Fat Joe, a fixture throughout the Knicks' title run, closed the show with "All the Way Up". The ceremony also honoured the team directly: Finals MVP Jalen Brunson won Best Championship Performance and Best NBA Player, OG Anunoby's buzzer-beating tip won Best Play, and the Knicks collectively took home Best Team.