What happened: New York Knicks assistant coaches participated in Tuesday's championship ring ceremony and received ring boxes on the court, yet their actual rings were not inside, according to The Athletic. Following a presentation where the franchise unveiled its title hardware ahead of the opener, many veteran Madison Square Garden employees were also left out of the ring distribution.

Why it matters: Championship ring distributions across the NBA customarily extend beyond the active roster to include coaching staffs and longtime arena personnel. Leaving assistant coaches without their rings during the public ceremony and excluding veteran Madison Square Garden staffers marks an unusual departure from standard organizational practice after a title campaign.

What to watch: Attention now turns to Madison Square Garden leadership regarding when the Knicks' assistant coaches will receive their completed championship rings.