Bernard Bonaparte, a Queens, New York City, resident and lifelong Knicks supporter, is celebrating more than New York’s first NBA title in 53 years. He recently claimed a $3.4 million Connecticut Lottery Lotto! jackpot and says the Knicks’ remarkable playoff run inspired him to take a chance.
Lucky Numbers
“It was the Knicks! The Knicks won! That’s what it is!” Bonaparte told Connecticut Lottery officials while claiming his prize, Patch reported. “The Knicks won. That’s what’s important right now… it feels good.”
Bonaparte actually won one day before the Knicks’ historic victory. As his team was seemingly cruising to the win, he matched all six numbers in the June 12 Lotto! drawing, winning the multimillion-dollar jackpot
On June 13, the Knicks defeated the Spurs 94-90, led by Jalen Brunson, who scored 45 points, to capture their first title since 1973 with a Game 5 victory.
While millions of fans packed New York City streets on June 18 for the team’s ticker-tape parade that was hosted by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and attended by celebrities like Spike Lee, Bonaparte was heading to Connecticut Lottery headquarters to collect his winnings.
According to lottery officials, the Knicks’ string of postseason victories motivated Bonaparte to test his luck. He purchased his winning ticket at a Gulf gas station located at 1324 E. Putnam Ave. in Old Greenwich, Connecticut.
The location has developed a reputation as a lucky spot for lottery players.
Lottery officials said the retailer recently sold a $25,000 winning scratch-off ticket. In 2025, the same location sold a scratch-off worth $1 million, while another player won $4.3 million there in 2024. Additional winning tickets worth $40,000 and $30,000 were also sold at the station over the past two years, PIX 11 reported.
“I love New York, and I love the Connecticut Lottery!” the latest winner, Bonaparte, said.
