All The Black Couples On The Red Carpet At The 2026 ESPY Awards

The New York Knicks won Best Championship Performance and Best Team at the 2026 ESPY Awards on July 15, 2026, according to Essence. The event took place at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City, where Stephen Curry also received the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic work.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks to their dual victories during the ceremony. The awards recognized the team’s athletic achievements over the previous year, placing the New York franchise at the center of the night’s competitive honors.

Notable Attendees and Red Carpet Fashion at the 2026 ESPYs

The 2026 ESPY Awards featured a high-profile red carpet where athletes and entertainers transitioned from athletic gear to formal attire. Essence highlighted several prominent Black celebrity couples and families who attended the gala.

Among the attendees were Stephen and Ayesha Curry, with Curry honored for his community impact. Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens also appeared on the carpet. The New York Knicks’ success was represented by Jalen Brunson, who attended with his wife Ali Marks Brunson, his parents Rick and Sandra Brunson, and his sister Erica.

Other high-profile guests included:

• Boxer and actor Mike Tyson, who attended with his wife Lakiha Spicer and their son, Morocco Elijah Tyson.
• NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods.
• NFL player Dion Dawkins and Daiyaana Muhammad.
• Miles “Deuce” McBride and Ana Zortea.
• Actor Wendell Pierce and Erika Woods.

Photographers from Getty Images, AFP, and FilmMagic captured the arrivals, noting a strict departure from jerseys and cleats in favor of sharp suits and gowns.

Honoring Athletic and Humanitarian Achievement

The ceremony focused on two distinct types of excellence: on-court victory and off-court service. The New York Knicks’ sweep of the Best Championship Performance and Best Team categories solidified their status as the year’s dominant athletic force.

The Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, presented to Stephen Curry, shifted the focus toward the use of athletic platforms for social good. According to Essence, the award recognized Curry’s extensive philanthropic efforts to uplift communities.

The event served as a convergence of sports and entertainment, blending the professional accolades of the NBA and other sporting disciplines with the visibility of a New York City red carpet event.