New Yorkers woke up on Thursday morning, many having barely slept, still jubilant after the Knicks men's basketball team made history the night before. The team staged the largest comeback in NBA finals history to overcome the San Antonio Spurs in the dying seconds of Game 4, putting themselves 3-1 up and within one game of a rare championship win.
A City Abuzz
The Big Apple is buzzing to its core. There was dancing, singing, and chanting into the wee hours in streets across all five boroughs, especially around midtown Manhattan. At Madison Square Garden, the Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit to turn dismay into delirium for home fans. The Empire State Building glowed in the team's orange-and-blue colors.
Early the next morning, bleary-eyed commuters rushed to work with double coffees, while pedestrians had a spring in their step. 'Oh, man, I'm feeling fantastic,' said 53-year-old Kiba Bones in midtown Manhattan. 'It was epic, it was history made. Thank God for the Knicks.' Bones, born in the Bronx and now living in Queens, added: 'Knicks in five. The last time we won was when I was born.'
Historic Context
Bones referred to the fact that if the Knicks win Game 5 on Saturday, they will be national champions for the first time since 1973. Despite the crowd frenzy outside the Garden overnight, by morning the streets were cleaned and safety barricades removed.
Among the morning rush was a sea of orange and blue. Dozens of commuters wore Knicks caps and jerseys, exchanging knowing nods. 'Let's go, Knicks!' one man shouted across Seventh Avenue, answered by another with 'Knicks in five!'
Celebrities and Fans React
Inside the arena after the winning shot, celebrities were floored. Spike Lee nearly collapsed in euphoric surprise after OG Anunoby's winner. Jerry Seinfeld stood frozen, mouth agape, while Larry David and John McEnroe stared in disbelief. Taylor Swift hugged Mariska Hargitay and later danced as fans roared. Timothée Chalamet grasped his face in shock.
Heightened security from Donald Trump's appearance at Game 3 remained for Game 4. Authorities sealed off blocks around the arena, creating a 'frozen zone.' But after the final buzzer, thousands of fans stormed the streets, chanting 'Knicks in five!' and 'Fuck you, Wemby!' referring to Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. Former Knicks guard Iman Shumpert joined the crowd in his No. 21 jersey.
Incidents and Arrests
Some scenes turned wild as fans scaled street signs and crowd-surfed. Violence erupted in spots; the NYPD said 56 people were taken into custody, 15 arrested, and 41 released with summonses. Ten officers were injured. Videos showed fans hurling objects at Wembanyama outside his hotel, forcing him to duck inside.
The morning after, subway riders discussed key moments. 'The city feels alive,' one passenger said. 'Knicks in five,' another replied. In Hell's Kitchen, Jaynee Byrd, 31, expressed hope: 'We got this. One more game, that's it, and we're done.' Wearing orange and blue, she added: 'Knicks in five!'
