Josh Hart arrived at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night with a new look that turned heads before the New York Knicks tipped off their season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Knicks celebrated their first NBA championship in 53 years with a ring and banner ceremony, and Hart’s hairstyle paid tribute to that historic achievement. His hair was braided into the shape of the Larry O’Brien Trophy, the NBA’s championship prize, a design crafted by his regular stylist Sandra Finn.
The 31-year-old guard’s trophy-inspired braids continued a pattern of hairstyles that connect him closely to New York City. Previously, Hart has worn the classic “NY” logo, the “I heart NY” symbol with a heart braided at his crown, and the interlocking “NY” Yankees emblem. “It’s just kind of, like, my way to show love to a city that’s really embraced me and, you know, accepted me,” Hart said in a promotional NBA video.
Finn, who goes by @sandrasbraids on social media, shared detailed photos of her work on Hart’s hair, which drew thousands of likes and hundreds of comments praising the craftsmanship. She spoke to The New York Times during the finals in June, describing the pressure of styling athletes whose hair designs are part of their personal brand and seen by millions on TV and social media. “Working with athletes like Josh is unique because their hairstyle is a part of their personal brand. Fans recognize the design and the styles and it’s seen by millions on television and social media. There’s a lot of pressure to execute the design perfectly,” she said. “But it’s rewarding because it allows me to showcase braiding like art on a larger stage.”
The Knicks’ celebration extended beyond Hart’s hairstyle. Jalen Brunson, the 2026 Finals MVP, appeared courtside in a special edition of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro sneakers, all in gold to mark the championship. The shoes featured a high-gloss finish on the raised snake scale pattern, with the Swoosh and heel stabilizer gleaming. The tongue and midsole shimmered to match the sheen of the team’s championship rings and trophy.
Jordyn Woods, wife of newly married Karl–Anthony Towns, also embraced the gold theme. She wore an all-gold outfit and debuted a gold version of her brand’s Limited Edition Tux Clutch Mini bag in Trophy Gold to support the Knicks for their first game of the season. Woods handed the bag to Towns just before the ring ceremony, continuing a personal tradition. The couple married in Malibu earlier this year in a high-profile wedding.
The Knicks’ championship rings were designed by Jason Arasheben, owner of Jason of Beverly Hills. He spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about the responsibility of creating a ring for a city that waited 53 years. “You’re talking about arguably the greatest city on earth that’s waited 53 years for a ring, so I understood the importance of delivering a masterpiece. Not something that’s good enough, but a masterpiece,” Arasheben said. “And so I think we’ve done that with this particular ring.”
The Knicks lost the season opener 106-100 to the 76ers, but the mood at MSG was celebratory as the franchise marked its long-awaited NBA title. The ring and banner ceremony, along with Hart’s trophy braids and the gold-themed appearances of Brunson and Woods, set a festive tone for the new season at Madison Square Garden.
According to Yahoo Sports.
