Knicks ride losing streak after Zohran Mamdani shouts out Jalen Brunson

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivers remarks after Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., swears him in during public ceremony.

The New York Knicks have gone winless since New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani made a viral reference to star point guard Jalen Brunson during the mayor's inauguration speech Jan. 1. 

The Knicks dropped their fourth straight Monday with a lopsided 121-90 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Their skid began with a close two-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs Dec. 31. Mamdani delivered his speech early the next day, and the Knicks have gone 0-3 since, with losses to the Philadelphia 76ers and under-.500 Atlanta Hawks. 

Many social media users have pointed out the Knicks haven't managed to win since the speech reference, including comedian Michael Rapaport. 

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Around nine minutes into Mamdani's speech Jan. 1, he proclaimed "excellence is no longer the exception," adding that the city "expects greatness" from "our point guard at Madison Square Garden." During that remark, the mayor covered his face with his hand, appearing to replicate Brunson's celebration but then transitioned the gesture into a wipe of his face. 

Images of the moment spread across social media, with some Knicks fans appreciating the reference. But many others in the city and around the country criticized Mamdani for his democratic socialist agenda.

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivers his inaugural address Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, outside City Hall. (Fox News/Pool)

Former Kansas City Chiefs player Chris Manno was one of the many to criticize Mamdani, suggesting Brunson will