Iman Shumpert had postgame commitments after the Knicks’ wild Game 4 win.
He decided to make other plans.
The former Knicks guard bailed on an ESPN podcast appearance Wednesday night so he could join the celebration outside Madison Square Garden after the Knicks’ dramatic NBA Finals comeback win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Shumpert was set to appear on “The Hoop Collective” podcast but said he instead was heading to Seventh Avenue with J.R. Smith to celebrate with the fans outside MSG.
And he did exactly that.
Video posted to social media showed Shumpert outside MSG in the middle of a swarm of fired-up Knicks fans, smiling, high-fiving and soaking in the scene as the Garden celebration spilled into the street.
Ex-Knick Iman Shumpert (21) along with John Starks (l.), Ben Stiller (second from r.), Stephon Marbury (third from r.) and others celebrate during the Knicks’ Game 4 win over the Spurs on June 10, 2026. NBAE via Getty ImagesShumpert did not appear to be in any rush to get back to work as he held up five fingers and said “Knicks in five.”
Instead, the 2011 first-round pick leaned into the moment, greeting fans and partying with the same crowd that embraced him during his time in New York.
The scene came after the Knicks erased a 29-point deficit to beat the Spurs, 107-106, and take a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
That was more than enough to turn Seventh Avenue into a full-blown Knicks party.
For Shumpert, it was also a reminder of the bond he still has with the city.
He played parts of four seasons with the Knicks after they selected him with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, becoming a fan favorite for his defense, energy and unmistakable style.
He later won a championship with the Cavaliers in 2016, alongside Smith, but New York has never quite let him go.
Knicks Merch Shop
This premium commemorative plaque features the iconic front cover of the New York Post from the Knicks’ historic 2026 NBA Finals victory.
The walls of any true fan require this plaque of our back cover from June 14, 2026 featuring Brunson and the boys celebrating their win.
The “Our Team, Our Title” wrap from our June 15, 2026 print edition set behind acrylic plexiglass and framed in black ayous wood.
Grab a copy of our paper from June 14, 2026 celebrating this huge moment for Knicks fans and New York City as a whole.
OMG, indeed! This adjustable hat says what we were all thinking during this intense championship run.
Own this piece of history with our cover celebrating the Knicks’ sweep over the Cavs.
Knicker Bonkers chronicles the historic championship run that united NYC. Featuring NY Post analysis and vivid photos, relive the magic of MSG.
It was a fitting scene on a night when seemingly every Knicks fan in the city wanted to be part of the moment.
The Knicks now head to San Antonio for Game 5 with a chance to win their first NBA title since 1973.
