During Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night, photographer José A. Alvarado Jr. captured the vibrant scenes of celebration unfolding across New York City as the Knicks secured their first championship in 53 years. Alvarado, a longtime New York resident and contributor to The New York Times, documented the spontaneous street gatherings, watch parties, and dancing that accompanied the team's historic victory.

Alvarado, who shares a name but is unrelated to Knicks guard Jose Alvarado, spent the evening moving through various neighborhoods, focusing his lens on the fans rather than the game itself. His coverage began in Hell’s Kitchen, where he gained access to the roof of a corner bodega, enabling him to photograph an aerial view of a block filled with celebrating spectators. From there, he rode a bicycle to the West Village, seeking vantage points atop staircases and sidewalks amid dense crowds.

“I’ve been photographing the city for over a decade, and I’ve never seen the city that energized, especially around a sport,” Alvarado said. His approach involved seeking moments that conveyed the atmosphere beyond the obvious, such as people leaning out of windows, tossing confetti, or climbing street signs. He acknowledged the difficulty of capturing every moment but strived to do the best with what he could observe.

The photographer’s work extended beyond the game itself; he also covered the championship parade earlier in the week. Throughout Saturday’s celebrations, Alvarado noted that many people were surprised when he introduced himself, curious if he was the same José Alvarado who contributed to the Knicks’ playoff run. “It was a good icebreaker, for sure,” he remarked.

Alvarado’s night concluded in Washington Square Park, where large crowds gathered in jubilation following the final victory over the Spurs. By that point, he said he had grown more prolific in taking photos, capturing as many moments as possible to convey the energy and emotion that defined the city’s response to the team’s championship. “You shoot as much as you can to get everything,” he said, “You’re kind of just burning the shutter like, ‘Let’s go!’”