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CNN This Morning

Knicks Are NBA Champions After 53-Year Drought; Trump: U.S.- Iran Memo Of Understanding Will Be Signed Today; Team England's World Cup Gear Stolen In Kansas City; Stormy Forecast Threatens UFC Freedom 250 Fight. President Trump's Name Fully Removed from Kennedy Center; Loss of "The Late Show" Boosts Numbers for Other Late Night TV Shows; New York Knicks NBA Champions. Aired 7-8a ET

Aired June 14, 2026 - 07:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:00:49]

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN HOST: And this time, it's good news. Welcome to CNN This Morning, I'm Victor Blackwell.

In case you haven't heard, Knicks in five. Well, it's good news if you're, you know, a Knicks fan, not a Spurs fan. The city is still standing. Don't worry. Because the Knicks beat the Spurs in Texas, 94- 90. First championship in 53 years. The real hero of the game here, the finals MVP, Jalen Brunson, scored 45 points.

The mayor of New York City, Zoran Mamdani, posted after the win, Parade Thursday Manhattan. But nobody's waiting until Thursday in New York to celebrate. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(CHEERING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Now, if they weren't already out there, the fans started pouring out as soon as that buzzer sounded. You can see up and down the streets and the high rises, everyone running. I've seen a video from inside Radio City Music Hall, all cheering the home team.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've been a fan for like 30-some years now, my whole life. You know, my mom made me a big fan. My mom is over here.

And I'm just happy. I'm really, really happy right now. I flew all the way here from California. I had to be here for this moment. And I'm just so glad I'm here right now.

I spent my last dollar to get here. I don't regret it at all. (END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Let it out, brother. Let it out. Police, though, they had to step in pretty quickly as a large number of fans, they got a little out of hand. At one point, someone lit a school bus on fire.

Look at this. This is in the middle of the street there. The firefighters had to rush over to put it out. The fans were climbing whatever they could find. The light poles, the scaffolding.

At one point, some people climbed on top of another school bus, a tour bus, I think it was. Some damaged an NYPD cruiser, set trash on fire, popped off fireworks. Police on foot and on horse had to control crowds and get people back under control.

All right, we're covering all of the celebrations with CNN's Gloria Pazmino out on the streets near Madison Square Garden. CNN's Carolyn Manno has the highlights from the game.

Gloria, let's start with you. Fans in New York have been celebrating all night. What's it look like this morning?

GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Victor, you know, it's remarkably calm and clean right here outside of Madison Square Garden where so many of those crowds spilled onto after the game last night. We were all holding our breaths up until those last few minutes and that final buzzer when the Knicks finally clinched it in Game 5. They're bringing home the championship.

Now, across the city, so much celebration. Block parties, watch parties, people just walking all over the streets. For the most part, things were joyful, a celebration, and I think a lot of that spirit's going to carry the city for the next few days as they prepare for the parade. Now, some of the celebrations did get a little bit out of control.

We do have some information from law enforcement sources this morning, multiple arrests. I'm told that, unfortunately, dozens of police officers were injured. You mentioned the school bus that was set on fire. Multiple cop cars also destroyed last night.

And, unfortunately, we learned that a 17-year-old was shot and injured when shots rang out in the middle of Times Square. That was a particularly chaotic scene because fans had spilled onto the streets, making traffic very difficult to navigate. An ambulance was not able to get to him. He had to be transported by police car. That person is expected to survive.

So there were some instances last night where things did get out of control. There were dozens of arrests that were made by the NYPD last night. But, overall, I think what we saw last night was just a city filled with joy. Some remarkable scenes from around the city.

[07:05:02]

You know, I have to say, Victor, some of these watch parties that just propped up on sidewalks, you know, people literally rolling out their televisions so that neighbors could gather and watch this game. Those were some of the most joyful, frankly, emotional scenes to watch. I saw aerial views of people hanging out of the fire escapes in New York City.

I mean, it looked like a scene out of Broadway. You know, people spilling out onto the streets, dancing, music, celebrating. I think that is really the spirit that actually captures the city right now.

Now, next week, we're all going to get to celebrate. On Thursday, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announcing that the Knicks, as it is tradition here in New York, will get a parade, a ticker tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes, downtown Manhattan, near City Hall. Then they will enter City Hall, where the mayor will honor them and present them with the key to the city.

I think that's going to be another moment for the history books here in New York City. The Knicks, if I have my history right, have never had a ticker tape parade here in New York City. As you know, this was a 53-year drought that has officially come to an end.

So New Yorkers, Knicks fans, and everyone here who has just really joined in the celebration is going to get another piece of that next week. So as I said, celebrations likely to continue. Things are very calm here this morning.

And the NYPD, we're still waiting for an official update, but we can confirm several arrests made last night, officers injured, some police cars that were also damaged in the process in addition to the school buses. But overall, a really remarkable night here in New York City. Victor?

BLACKWELL: We'll wait for those numbers. Looking ahead to that parade on Thursday. Can only imagine what that will look like from the sky when hundreds of thousands, if not more than that, will come out to celebrate.

All right, Gloria Pazmino, thanks so much.

Now over to Carolyn Mano, who has more on the game. Another comeback for the Knicks.

CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Of course, of course, Victor. That's how they do it. I mean, last night capped off a series that's going to be talked about by sports fans for a really long time. True to form, they didn't make it easy on themselves.

They were down to start the game. They trailed by as many as 16 points early, but it's the grit of this team that was there when it mattered the most. And the man leading the way, you mentioned him at the very end, the Knicks' heart and soul.

Jalen Brunson carried the offense on his back, a record-breaking 45 points in this game that included 13 consecutive points, scored entirely by him during this really crucial fourth-quarter stretch to erase the Spurs' lead, the 94-90 Game 5 win, bringing that Larry O'Brien trophy back to New York for the first time in 53 years.

And after the game, Brunson was named MVP. He accepted that award with his father, Rick, by his side, who's an assistant coach for the team and who played for the Knicks in the late 90s.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JALEN BRUNSON, NBA FINALS MVP: I got no words. Everything I ever dreamed of.

RICK BRUNSON, KNICKS ASSISTANT COACH, JALEN BRUNSON'S FATHER: Never envisioned this. I have all his trophies.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Really?

R. BRUNSON: Yes, man. All of them. He has not one trophy at his house. I'm going to get this MVP trophy, too. I got all his trophies in this. I mean, not -- I could never envision this, but the credit goes to him. I mean, he's a worker. You know, he loves to work every day, tries to get better, and try to lead his team.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MANNO: So all the trophies going into Dad's trophy case. But you know, Victor, ESPN's Mike Breen, after the game, perfectly encapsulated who Jalen Brunson is. He calls him a humble superstar with unshakable inner confidence. And I think we've seen that over the course, not just of this final series, but of the playoffs, and really even before that.

I mean, this is a veteran group of mature players who wanted it for each other, who never gave up. They had such resilience in fight, and we saw that in Game 5, wrapping it up, getting it done, and now they celebrate.

BLACKWELL: Excited for the entire city of New York.

Carolyn Manno, thanks so much.

This year's NBA Finals has really captured the intention of the entire country, and I spoke with CNN Sports Analyst Christine Brennan last hour about why this win has so many people celebrating and what it means for New York.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTINE BRENNAN, CNN SPORTS ANALYST: It is a victory that is perfect for New York City. You know, gritty, comebacks, uncertainty close at the end. I mean, this series, even though it was only five games, it had it all. It really did.

And you've got this hero, the undersized, underappreciated, at the beginning of his career, certainly as a college kid being drafted, you know, Jalen Brunson, who is the team captain.

[07:10:04] He is the MVP. He's the one who had 15 points in the fourth quarter, as you had mentioned, 45 points in the game, and just willed this team to come back. And the fact that it was 1973, the last time the Knicks won, those were the days of Willis Reed and Walt Frazier, and as you said, 53 years, and it was even since 1999, as you know, that the Knicks were in the NBA Finals.

And, you know, for this flagship team, just a few blocks from NBA headquarters, in the Garden, the iconic Madison Square Garden, iconic New York City, it's a story of a team and a victory, of course, a championship. It's also a story of a city, obviously the biggest and most important city in the United States and in the world, and one of, you know, the biggest in the world and most important.

So that all, I think, is a piece of this continuing story that has riveted so many people around the country. This is huge, and it is riveting, and people, even if they don't love New York, they've probably been to New York, they care about New York, they know someone in New York, and they know the story of New York. And I think that's a big piece of the conversation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: And we'll have more on the Knicks' big win and what it means for the city of New York throughout the show and throughout the day.

Next, though, the latest on the war with Iran. There are mixed signals on the timeline on when a possible agreement will be signed between the U.S. and Iran.

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[07:16:16]

BLACKWELL: All right, President Trump says today the U.S. and Iran will sign a memo of understanding. It would aim to set terms and start formal talks to bring an end to the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran denies plans for a signing today, but they agree that the two sides are close to an agreement and claim it represents a win for them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): We are the victor of this battlefield. The Islamic Republic of Iran has emerged as a victor. The Iranian people achieved victory. This is not a slogan. This is no exaggeration.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Once a memorandum of understanding is signed, a 60-day period of negotiations would begin to determine how to implement the plan. Pakistan's Prime Minister, a main mediator in the talks, believes it could be imminent. He posted that Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the peace deal immediately, followed by more detailed talks this week.

Oren Liebermann has more.

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: President Donald Trump has expressed a tremendous amount of optimism that the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran will be signed on Sunday, and that'll trigger 60 days of negotiations towards a final agreement. Pakistan has also expressed that kind of optimism, though it should be worth noting that Pakistan's mediators have expressed a lot of optimism in the past that hasn't gotten us to the point of a memorandum of understanding.

But we're hearing a very different message from Iran. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement that they definitely won't be signing an agreement on Sunday and that there are still points in the MOU that need to be worked out before there is a signing. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said there won't be an agreement signed on Sunday, although acknowledging it could be in the coming days.

Then, of course, there's the question of what's actually in the MOU that's about to be signed sometime in the coming days, perhaps. Well, the Trump administration has said it covers not only highly enriched uranium and the dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program, but also limitations on ballistic missiles and ending support for Iran's proxies. Of course, that's not what we're hearing from Iran.

According to state media, it is specifically focused on the Strait of Hormuz, which Trump has said will open immediately on the signing of the memorandum of understanding. And that's where the focus really is. It doesn't touch ballistic missiles or proxies, according to Iranian state media.

Meanwhile, a senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader has said it includes the MOU, that is, the release of some of Iran's frozen assets. And they say that Trump simply can't acknowledge that publicly or isn't willing to. Iran is focused on $24 billion in frozen assets that it wants released, half that they're looking for released upon the signing of an MOU, and half at some point later.

So there is very public disagreement in the statements we're hearing from Iran and from the United States, and that makes it difficult to see where and how this plays out. Crucially, we haven't seen the text of the MOU. The Trump administration hasn't released it, so we don't have a solid understanding of what this agreement actually entails.

Orrin Lieberman, CNN, Jerusalem.

BLACKWELL: Our headlines for you this morning, President Trump will host UFC fights on the White House grounds tonight, but rain and storms may threaten the event. Lightning is in the forecast right around 8:00 p.m., which is when the main card is supposed to start. About 4,000 people have been invited to watch the mixed martial arts competition on the White House South Lawn, but some estimates put the crowd as high as 100,000 who could attend the watch party on the Ellipse. [07:20:04]

It's been a rocky start for England's World Cup team. Even before they take the pitch, police say that some of England's training equipment was stolen from a vehicle, taking team gear from the World Cup base in Kansas City. British media report that balls and cleats were among the items taken. Authorities say two suspects are in custody while the crime is investigated. England's World Cup opener is against Croatia on Wednesday in Dallas.

Cleveland Cavaliers player James Harden was arrested in Houston, allegedly for carrying a weapon in a motor vehicle. That's according to the Harris County District Clerk's Office. Four documents show that Harden allegedly had a handgun in plain view, not secured in a holster yesterday. Harden was released on $100 bond. AP says that there was no immediate response from Harden's representatives.

The Morning Roundup is next. We're going to talk about the UFC fight at the White House and the political impact that that could have. Stay with us.

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[07:25:33]

BLACKWELL: The forecast for today's planned UFC Freedom 250 fight on the White House lawn is not looking good. Still scheduled, though, seven bouts on the main card.

Joining me now for the Morning Roundup, former Journalist Malena Cunningham, former U.S. Attorney Michael Moore, and Atlanta News First Anchor Rick Folbaum. Welcome back to everybody.

RICK FOLBAUM, ANCHOR, ATLANTA NEWS FIRST: Thank you.

BLACKWELL: OK. So storms are in the forecast, right? Prelims started for main card at 8 o'clock. Lightning could be in the area. Rain, it's going to be hot. There are going to be bugs. First, before we get to all the things that could challenge it, if it goes off as planned, what are the thoughts about having a UFC fight on the White House grounds?

FOLBAUM: Well, President Trump knows his base, you know?

BLACKWELL: Yes.

FOLBAUM: I mean, and that's what this is about, I think. There are going to be people who turn up their noses at an event like this. But those are the people that probably don't like anything the President does. Meanwhile, there are a lot of people in this country who love this kind of sport and who are going to be very excited to see it. And I think it could bring even more, a new audience to the sport, too.

MICHAEL MOORE, FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY: Yes. I think this is one of the most nonsensical things I've seen. So my nose is probably --

FOLBAUM: Turned up.

MOORE: -- turned up. I mean, you know, it just evokes images, really, of, like, the emperor in the Coliseum. You know, as we're celebrating -- he's having his birthday party out there while people are blooding it up in front of him. I agree that there's a certain amount of people who this will be appealing to them. I just think it's a mockery, really, of the White House and this celebration.

MALENA CUNNINGHAM, FORMER BIRMINGHAM NEWS ANCHOR: And what an interesting metaphor, there have been storm clouds around us all along. The cost of it, where it's going to be. Is this actually going to be pulled off? Is it about trying to get UFC people to enjoy the sport? What is this actually all about?

It is the president's birthday, so I guess this is his birthday party celebration. But it is an interesting way to make use of the White House lawn. 100,000 people who will be on the Ellipse. About 500 porta-potties are supposed to be set up around the city. And if you have a storm going on in the midst of all of that, what a mess this is going to be.

BLACKWELL: Let me add to this the latest Reuters-Ipsos poll that shows just how unpopular this is. 16 percent of respondents think it's a good idea to have a cage fight on the White House grounds. Here's the party breakdown. Only 31 percent of Republicans support this, which is a remarkably low number. 5 percent of Democrats, 11 percent of Independents.

There are some who think that this is about the President's association with the UFC. Not just this specific event. It's about reaching some of those -- some of the manosphere, as it's called, especially young Black and Latino men who aren't watching, they believe, traditional political news.

Is that -- is this three-dimensional chess, or is this the President likes the UFC? He likes the WWE, and it's his birthday. Is it that simple?

FOLBAUM: I think that's what it's about. I think he is a huge fan, and genuinely a fan of this. And we've seen him, like you said, at wrestling matches and everything like that. So, you know, an event like this for his birthday, and we wish the President a happy birthday. You know, think of the birthday party he could have thrown for himself, you know?

MOORE (?): Yes.

FOLBAUM: This might actually --

CUNNINGHAM: If he had the ballroom, he would.

FOLBAUM: All right.

BLACKWELL: All right, so let's talk about another event. It's part of the Freedom 250, this great American state fair that has already started to fall apart. We saw a couple of weeks ago all the musical or most of the musical acts back out once they realized that this was a Trump-aligned event, not the America 250, which is this bipartisan event. And now there were supposed to be these pavilions, one representing each state and territory.

Several states says, we ain't going to be there. Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, North Carolina, Connecticut, Pennsylvania's still deciding. Most states said that they're not coming because of the costs the states have to provide and pay for this multi-week exhibit.

But Oregon's governor, the spokesperson there, said, quote, "There are growing concerns that the event is shaping up to be more of a partisan affair than originally presented." It seems like there's concern about the President's view of the country and what will be at this event.

MOORE: Yes, I don't -- I keep blaming him for pulling out. I mean, I think it's a terrible time to be just throwing money at this kind of thing. I mean, this is something that would be valuable for a limited number of people on the lawn. And -- but I also think -- and I respect the governor for coming out and just saying exactly what it is, and that is that, while it's not just costs but it's also that we -- it's taken more of a political nature, a partisan nature, really, and we don't want to be a part of it.

So, I don't think it has really very broad reaching political implications, but I think it's interesting to see it sort of following the same path that you saw some of the entertainers back out.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Yes.

MALENA CUNNINGHAM, FORMER BIRMINGHAM NEWS ANCHOR: You know, it's really interesting, too, as we are preparing to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday, I can remember 50 years ago when I was graduating from high school, shout out to my class, that we were celebrating the bicentennial, and it was a big American event.

It doesn't feel that way this time of year. It doesn't feel like we're about to celebrate the nation's history. It feels like we're more and more divided, and most people don't even feel like they're in a celebratory mood because of high gas prices, high food prices, so many of the issues that are going on in America. It doesn't feel like a time that we're actually celebrating being unified as a country.

RICK FOLBAUM, ANCHOR, ATLANTA NEWS FIRST: I mean, look, what's more American than a state fair? I mean, I'm a sucker for them, but if we can't get along and agree over cotton candy and corn dogs, where are we as a country? I mean, that really does speak to the division that you're talking about as well. And it's sad.

I mean, I understand there are financial costs to participating in an event like this, but it kind of comes off as sour grapes, and for those people who are going to be able to be there and enjoy it whose states might not be represented in the state fair, they feel a little left out.

MOORE: I just don't think you can look at any of these things in a vacuum, right? We can't -- we have to look at them in the context of all that's happening. So, you know, down the street, we've got this big, massive multimillion dollar blood cage that's been, you know, built, and now we're going to spend money on the state fair, and people are having trouble paying for gas, paying for groceries, paying their mortgage, paying for daycare, but -- you know.

And so, it just gives an image that this administration is so out of touch with everybody except maybe that 31 percent that we -- that's been constant throughout.

BLACKWELL: Speaking of a big celebration Congresswoman Joyce Beatty had one at the Kennedy Center. She is an ex officio member there of the board at the Kennedy Center, also sued the president to have his name removed from the building and the website and all the correspondents. We saw that it's all gone now. Here's how she celebrated.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: And the caption there is, am I getting the dance right, Trump? Dancing there in the hall there at the Kennedy Center. Michael, this was a question specifically for you. The administration appealed and they said in their filing that the department pointed to -- and I'm reading straight from CNN.com here, the department pointed to bylaws that the board put into the bylaws of the Kennedy Center that if Trump's name was removed from the center, from the filings, from the marketing branding facade or any other affiliate location, they would have to return the donations to people. So, this could cost them millions of dollars. You think that holds up in court?

MOORE: I think it doesn't hold up. I mean, bylaws can be challenged and, you know, while most boards have the authority to enact bylaws, to govern their organization, I'm not sure that it would hold up as you go on.

But this -- it's emblematic really of what they've done. And that is basically punished people who ultimately come in and try to change something that Trump saw as a monument to himself. And we see it all over what's happening right now, I think in Washington.

AMANPOUR: All right, everybody stay with me. We had a lot more to talk about. Coming up, nobody likes getting up to go to the airport early. I certainly do not, but you should, and I'll tell you why. That's next in the Roundup.

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[07:35:00]

BLACKWELL: Welcome back to the Morning Roundup. Stephen Colbert's Late Show has now been off the air for about three weeks. And it's having some interesting consequences for his former competitors. I'm back now with Malena, Michael, and Rick.

According to TV Insider, that 11:35 slot is down 65 percent in total viewers on CBS. But we're seeing the audience largely turn to Jimmy Kimmel. Up 53 percent in total viewers over the same time last year. 178 percent in the 18 to 49 age group. You see 14 percent up for Jimmy Fallon over the Tonight Show. Why do you think they're turning over to Kimmel?

FOLBAUM: Well, I think -- you know, I didn't think anybody who watched Colbert was going to migrate over to Greg Gutfeld. I mean, there is sort of a political ideology, you know, a mindset for people that were attracted to Colbert. And I think the Jimmy Kimmel show is more of that ilk. So, it seems like a natural transition for folks who are missing Stephen Colbert. I'm missing him. But going and finding Jimmy Kimmel and that kind of voice.

BLACKWELL: Yes. You know, what's interesting is that I interviewed Byron Allen, who hosts Comics Unleashed, in the old -- well, his now spot at 11:35 on CBS. And he said, there will be no politics here. We're just going to talk. And they do a lot of first date and mother- in-law jokes and the like. And I don't know if that's why there's the drop off for his show. But it seems like there is an appetite for that at late night. If this huge exodus from CBS goes over to ABC with what Kimmel's doing.

[07:40:00]

CUNNINGHAM: Well, even on CBS They may be losing viewership, but they're making money because Byron Allen's show is paying to be on there. So, instead of them losing millions, they're actually recouping about $15 million a year. It's also a good place for young comics who are trying to make a name for themselves. Some people have made names for themselves on this show. Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart. So, it might be a place to be for people who want to land. It's not Saturday night live, but you still can find an audience.

BLACKWELL: We were talking during the break about this discovery from pop side podcast that is really interesting. If you are wondering why does it feel like the summer is just flying by, and when you were a kid it seemed like you had months and months of summer. There's actually science behind it.

They spoke with Dr. Mark Wittman who is a time perception researcher and says that how of long a period of time lasts mostly comes down to how much we actually remember. And if it's emotionally meaningful, like when you're a kid, it's your first trip to the beach, it's your first sunburn, it's your first barbecue, when you're 40, 50, 60 it's another beach right, another barbecue, another sunburn.

You -- I don't know if Michael believes it.

MOORE: I don't know if I believe that or not. I mean, I feel like that I have some memories that are very current and very recent and then -- but there are things in my past and childhood that I would say would win my first time or first friends and -- that I don't know that I have the same association with. I get the idea of having sort of the new experience and, you know, your brain is sucking all of that up or your memories sucking all that up, but I'm just -- I don't know.

BLACKWELL: I don't know. Malena, what do you think?

CUNNINGHAM: Well, I think that there's some validity to that because when you're a kid you're carefree, you have nothing else to worry about except for what's going to happen to -- that day or you're counting down to the beach or six flags. When you're older, like we are now, I'm thinking about the 4th of July and I'm also planning for Thanksgiving. So, yes, it will be over before I know, it feels like.

BLACKWELL: Yes. I mean, I remember Christmas when I was 7, 8, 9, I don't remember Christmas when I was 40, 41, 42, right? It's another Christman.

FOLBAUM: Right. And summertime, you know, when you're a kid, it's the endless summer because you're out, you're playing, you're with your friends. You know, until it gets dark outside and you get hungry, you know. But when you're an adult, you're still going to work. You're still going to the supermarket. You're still carpooling the kids You know, you're still doing all those things. So, it doesn't really feel like summer when you're an adult.

BLACKWELL: Let's talk about the airport. We -- I'm not someone -- I'll get up and go early if I have to. I'm not the person who wants to take the 5:50 Flight or the 6:00 a.m. flight. But we've learned from the Transportation Association -- Department, morning was 30 percent more likely than any other part of the day to leave on time Especially over afternoon or evening. Are you getting up early and going to the airport?

CUNNINGHAM: I tried to. I made the mistake last weekend I was flying to Dallas and I decided I'd take an afternoon flight, that flight got pushed back four times. I ended up having to get on another airline. And I said to myself, Malena, you know you should have taken that morning flight, next time.

BLACKWELL: Yes.

FOLBAUM: It's so true. The morning flights that I've taken are much more likely to leave on time. But flying is sort of that great equalizer, you know, whether you're sitting in first class or whether you're in the last row of coach, everybody is affected and impacted by four delays or whatever.

BLACKWELL: And speaking about the great equalizer, the prices of flights going up. Federal inflation numbers came out last week, airline fares average prices up more than 26 percent in May over May 2025, up 3 percent May versus April. Hotels, 5 percent or so over last year. But the airports are still packed.

CUNNINGHAM: Yes. You would never know it but the folks who have traveling. And I think people are thinking, let me get it in before the price goes up even more. Even when I think about gasoline, when I fill up I go, wow, I remember when it was $4. I wish it was $4 again. And then when it was $4, I was mad it wasn't $3.59, you know. So, it's like get it in now while we can because the prices will keep going up. MOORE: Yes, I think people -- they're going to travel. I don't -- that's not going to change, but it's like they're not going to forget when it comes to the polls either that they can't remember that we paid the higher price.

CUNNINGHAM: Exactly.

MOORE: But they are going to take -- they are going to stretch it to try to travel, I think.

BLACKWELL: All right.

FOLBAUM: I'm a couple weeks out from my annual trip to the Jersey Shore with the kids, and we were very excited to do it. But we're certainly keeping an eye on it. I know I am on our spending and sort of the different things that we're going to do while we're there. But, you know, what do they say, the old MasterCard commercial, the family memories are priceless.

BLACKWELL: Oh, yes. Well, it come with a price, which is paying them. All right. Malena, Michael, Rick, thank you all.

All right. Next, we'll take you back to the streets of New York where fans celebrated a Knicks NBA title after 53 years.

[07:45:00]

And follow the descendants of explorers who pushed West as they reveal the hardship that transformed the distant frontier. Two new episodes of the CNN original series, "This Land," air tonight at 9:00 p.m. on CNN, and tomorrow, you can watch it on the CNN app.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: We got more now on the big story of the morning. The Knicks beat the Spurs in Texas, 94 to 90. Their first NBC Championship win since 1973.

[07:50:00]

Inside the Knicks locker room, champagne was flowing. Ben Stiller, Timothee Chalamet, they were in there for the celebrations.

Fans flooded the streets of New York last night. You can see the size of the crowd. Look at this. Enormous. Things stayed relatively tame, but the NYPD did have to step in and do some crowd control later in the night.

CNN's Gloria Pazmino is live on the streets of New York near Madison Square Garden, calmer today, but I'm sure that energy is still there.

GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Victor. In fact, there are people who are walking around the area. A man just a short while ago came up to us and asked if the fan store is going to be open because people want to get their finals, their championship merch. So, I think a lot of those people will be lined up at the store today. And as you said, things are much calmer right now, but things did get slightly out of hand last night. Across some of those celebrations, not all of them, the NYPD did make several arrests, at least more than a dozen people were arrested.

I also have learned from law enforcement sources that several officers were also injured. Unfortunately, some police vehicles were damaged along with school buses that were set on fire during some of these celebrations that got out of hand. A 17-year-old also unfortunately injured when gunshots rang out in the middle of Times Square. Police had a hard time getting him to the hospital because the ambulance could not get to him because people were in the streets. He was transported to the hospital in a police car.

But other than that, Victor, I think what we saw last night, not just here outside of Madison Square Garden, but frankly, all across the city. I live in Queens. I could hear it out my window. You know, there were fireworks, people walking on the streets, people screaming, joyful. We saw the city come together in a way that it hasn't in many, many years.

And of course, this championship, 53 years in the making, we get to celebrate all over again next week when New York City and the mayor throw the Knicks team a ticker tape parade. You know, I think the city is a lot like this team. They're scrappy, they're gritty, they come together, they work together. I think that's part of what we saw last night in those celebrations that went well. You know, people throwing block parties, watch parties, bringing out their televisions so that neighbors could watch together. Hopefully, we get more of that.

And as I said, a big celebration on Thursday, ticker tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes and the Knicks will get the keys to the city during a celebration in their honor. Victor.

BLACKWELL: Exciting time. Gloria Pazmino outside MSG, thanks. Let's go to Carolyn Manno now who has the highlights for us. It was also a good game.

CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: It was, yes. I mean, this 53-year drought is what we're all going to be talking about for these long-suffering Knicks fans. And now, the focus is going to shift to what will hopefully be a safe celebration in the city this week when the team comes back. But this is how they've always done it throughout the course of these playoffs, Victor.

I mean, New York finished the postseason on a perfect 4-0 record in closeout games. And by the time the final buzzer sounded, the Spurs arena was completely taken over by thousands of traveling New York fans who just needed to be there for this moment. The first half was a defensive grind. Both teams shooting combined 32 percent from the field.

Both teams coming out a little bit tight. The Knicks down early, couldn't find their rhythm. They missed 16 of their first 18 field goal attempts. But as they have done over the course of these playoffs, they started chipping away. A 22-9 run brought them within striking distance at the end of the first half. And then in the second half, you really saw the team's maturity. Jalen Brunson scoring 13 straight for New York during this blistering fourth quarter stretch to single-handedly erase San Antonio's lead.

And after engineering this 29-point comeback win in game four that we've talked about basically forever, the Knicks fighting to this 94- 90 win in San Antonio to bring New York its first championship since 1973.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE BROWN, KNICKS HEAD COACH: I still don't believe it. I'm pinching myself. I'm telling myself to try to be present. All the stuff that I tell these guys every single day, I'm trying to do because I can't believe it. I love my players, love the organization, but more importantly, let's go New York. Let's go New York. We can't wait to get back home to celebrate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MANNO: The fans are ready. Pivoting now to the World Cup. Heavyweights Brazil and Morocco dueling in the most notable match of the day yesterday, fighting to an intense 1-1 draw at a packed MetLife Stadium. Ismael Saibari capitalizing on a defensive error there to loop a chip shot in over Allison in the 21st minute. Brazil rattled, but they responded 11 minutes later. Vinicius Junior unleashing this brilliant right-footed strike to level the score.

This was a frantic, physical game. It saw brilliant goalkeeping to deny Morocco this win, preserve Brazil's legendary 21 game unbeaten streak in World Cup openers.

[07:55:00]

And then you had this stunning group B opener yesterday in San Francisco, which featured Qatar managing to salvage a draw against a heavily favored Switzerland team. Thanks to this shocking, brilliant stoppage time equalizer, veteran captain Boualem Khoukhi getting a pinpoint cross, buries the header, the 94th minute score earning Qatar its first ever FIFA World Cup point and blowing the group open after Canada and Bosnia also drew.

So, Victor, if you're missing the Knicks and all that excitement, just turn your attention to the World Cup.

BLACKWELL: All right, Carolyn Manno, thank you so much. And thank you for joining us. There's a lot of excitement happening across the U.S., across Canada and Mexico with the World Cup and certainly in New York with the Knicks in five winning their first championship in 53 years.

Thanks for watching this morning. Inside Politics Sunday with Manu Raju is up next.

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