New York Knicks fans celebrated in the streets of Manhattan after a thrilling Game 4 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, with the team now on the brink of its first NBA championship in 53 years. The city has been swept up in the drama, as celebrities and everyday fans alike rally behind the team.
A City United in Celebration
Following the Knicks' furious comeback on Wednesday night, crowds poured into the streets, with car horns blaring and watch parties spilling onto sidewalks. Taylor Swift and Larry David were among the celebrities who lingered at Madison Square Garden after the final buzzer, as Frank Sinatra's 'New York, New York' filled the arena. Former Knick Iman Shumpert, wearing his old No. 21 jersey, rushed from the arena to Times Square to join the stunned celebration. Strangers greeted each other with shouts of 'Go Knicks!' in a night that felt straight out of a Broadway show.
A Historic Comeback
The victory was sealed when OG Anunoby tipped in a last-gasp shot with 1.2 seconds left, giving the Knicks a 107-106 win. The play, already dubbed 'the other Hand of God' by some, secured the largest comeback in NBA playoff history and put New York up 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. The team now stands just one win away from its first championship since 1973.
Monoculture Moment
The game became a cultural phenomenon, with photos of a plane full of passengers glued to the game—except for one person watching 'Avatar'—going viral. A clip from a watch party in Irvine, California, showed members of the US men's national soccer team erupting in celebration, interrupting their World Cup preparations. Couples with wedding plans for this weekend are both anticipating and dreading Saturday's Game 5, which could decide the series.
Stars and Fans Alike
Law & Order actor Mariska Hargitay, a devoted Knicks supporter, called Wednesday's game 'the greatest night of my life.' While some celebrations have gotten out of hand, rapper Fat Joe has urged fans to keep their passion in check. The team's appeal transcends politics, uniting figures like President Donald Trump and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani in their love for the home team.
The Wu-Tang Clan's half-time show added to the excitement, with Method Man declaring 'Knicks in five!' The team reflects the city's diversity, as center Karl-Anthony Towns joked about Dominican and Puerto Rican players, and Anunoby, born in London to Nigerian parents, seeks redemption after missing the Toronto Raptors' 2019 championship run.
A Team to Root For
Jalen Brunson, a 6ft 2in everyman, takes on the 7ft 4in Spurs phenomenon Victor Wembanyama. Brunson played with fellow Knicks Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges at Villanova, and his father Rick is an ex-Knicks reserve turned assistant coach. Head coach Mike Brown, a championship-winning assistant under Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr, is seeking his first title as a head coach.
The current enthusiasm contrasts sharply with the 1999 finals, when the Knicks faced the Spurs without Patrick Ewing and lost in a series that drew record-low TV ratings. This year, the Knicks have delivered blockbuster viewership, with courtside seats fetching prices equivalent to a house downpayment. The team has reignited hope for a fanbase that has endured heartbreak since its last titles in 1970 and 1973, including Michael Jordan's dominance in the 1980s and 1990s, salary-cap struggles in the 2000s, and last year's loss to the Indiana Pacers.
What a Championship Would Mean
If the Knicks win it all, a ticker-tape parade rivaling VJ Day is expected, and players could become brand ambassadors overnight. Spike Lee and Nas, present at Game 4, are likely already planning tributes. Knicks fans are savoring every moment, ready to be insufferably smug—because, as they say, it could only happen in New York.
