nba finals NBA New York Knicks The NSFW sacrifice James Dolan joked about with players in his pre-playoff meeting with the team By Collin Ward Published June 15, 2026, 5:10 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The New York Post on Google Knicks owner James Dolan’s joke about giving up sex during the NBA playoffs has been revealed.
“I had this idea that maybe you should give up sex for the next 10 weeks,” Dolan told the Knicks before the playoffs on Apr. 3. “You don’t have to give up sex for the next 10 weeks, but like Spartans — do you know what Spartans are? — they denied themselves to gain an edge. Get the edge.”
The joke was part of a 15-minute surprise speech Dolan gave to the Knicks about making sacrifices to end the Knicks’ 53-year title drought.
Knicks owner James Dolan gives a speech before the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Dolan, who oversaw the Knicks in 1999, told players to tell their significant others and family members about the commitment they would bring to the NBA Finals and that they, too, would need to make sacrifices to win.
“Go home, talk to your wives. Don’t tell them you’re not going to have sex, and don’t tell them it was my idea,” Dolan said. “But let them know what this is going to be like, what your commitment is going to be like.”
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.
This remarkable keepsake edition documents the thrilling run to the NBA title.
Grab a copy of our paper from June 14, 2026 celebrating this huge moment for Knicks fans and New York City as a whole.
A front-row chronicle of New York’s historic 2026 championship season!
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.
According to SNY, the players “were a little surprised, but the words hit.”
They were certainly memorable to at least some of them as Mikal Bridges referenced the no-sex joke during an Instagram live on Monday, calling Dolan a “savage” for the gag.
New York Knicks owner James Dolan and president Leon Rose lift the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. Getty Images Two months removed from the speech, the sacrifices the Knicks made paid off, as they won their first NBA Finals since 1953.
“Hey, New York, I’m sorry it took so long, but here we are, and hopefully it won’t take that long again,” Dolan said.
