Jordyn Woods never imagined that one of the biggest storylines of New York's championship run would revolve around an orange handbag, but that's exactly what happened.
While attending a Raising Cane's event in Times Square with her fiancé, Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns, Woods spoke to Complex about her now-iconic clutch, which transformed from a fashion accessory into a playoff superstition embraced by an entire fanbase.
According to Woods, the bag was a regular piece of fashion that she had alongside her in several "GRWM (Get Ready With Me)" videos but things changed shortly after.
"I always did my 'get ready with me' and stuff like that. But it wasn't until I couldn't bring the bag, and it was the only game we lost that people really started believing the hype," said Woods.
The bag grew a stronger presence during the NBA Finals after Woods wasn't able to bring it to Game 3 at Madison Square Garden because of heightened security measures surrounding President Donald Trump's attendance. The Knicks ended up losing that game.
Almost immediately, social media erupted with jokes and conspiracy theories claiming the missing bag had jinxed New York's title hopes. When Woods and the bag returned for Game 4, so did the Knicks' momentum.
By the time the franchise captured its first NBA championship in 53 years, the orange clutch had become an unlikely symbol of the team's magical postseason run, with fans crediting it alongside stars like Towns and Jalen Brunson. Woods laughed when asked whether she'd turn the car around if the bag was ever left behind on game day.
"We don't ride to the game together, so he always goes hours before," she said. "But definitely. If the bag's forgotten...," she paused before laughing. "Well, the bag has never been forgotten."
After the Knicks won, Towns even said that he wanted “everyone in New York to know that bag won a championship.”
Now that the Knicks are champions, however, Woods admits the accessory may have earned retirement as the bag went from accessory to full-blown New York folklore.
"You know what? After Thursday, I'm gonna... might have to put it up on the shelf," said Woods about retiring the bag. When asked whether the bag should get its own ring, Woods said it's not the accessory that makes the magic, but the person wearing it.
"I am the bag, so I guess we're getting a ring," she said with a laugh.
