New York Knicks star Andre Drummond has explained his decision to remain inside the locker room during the team's pregame championship ring ceremony. 

The 33-year-old, who signed with the Knicks during the offseason, chose not to join his teammates on the Madison Square Garden court for Tuesday's banner unveiling.

While the returning players celebrated last season's triumph, Drummond opted to give them space rather than participate in festivities he felt he had not earned.

'I want to be able to experience that because I was a part of it. I let those guys have their moment,' Drummond explained to SNY Knicks following Tuesday night's opener.

'I feel like I've got to earn it,' Drummond added. 'I don't want to experience something that I wasn't there for.'

Drummond's gesture quickly resonated across the fan base, drawing widespread praise for putting his teammates' hard work last season ahead of himself.

Despite sitting out the pregame festivities, the veteran center received an overwhelmingly warm welcome from the packed crowd once action got underway.

Knicks supporters could be heard chanting Drummond's name from the rafters during the contest, embracing the frontcourt addition's presence on the floor.

'It was pretty surreal,' Drummond said regarding the fan reaction. 'Just the energy of the arena, just because of how hard I was working, how hard I was playing, just to hear it, I can't even really explain it. 

'I got chills. Something you live for as a player, hearing the fans be behind you.' 

However, despite the fan support, the Knicks were unable to get off to a winning start in their campaign and were instead beaten 106-100 by the Philadelphia 76ers. 

LeBron James led the team in assists with seven alongside 14 points and nine rebounds in his Philadelphia debut. 

Guard Tyrese Maxey led the team in scoring with 28 points plus four rebounds and five assists.

As for the Knicks, guard Jalen Brunson carried the load with 21 points, five rebounds and three assists. 

Karl-Anthony Towns put up a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds while new acquisition Andre Drummond led the bench scorers with 12 points and a team-high 14 boards.

The Knicks will play their first road game of the season on Friday when they travel to face the rival Boston Celtics.