The Knicks are back in the Finals and the whole city is coming along

The New York Knicks secured their first NBA Finals berth since 1999, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in a four-game sweep and winning 11 consecutive playoff games. They will face the San Antonio Spurs starting June 3, with Game 1 set for Wednesday. The team’s historic run has ignited widespread excitement across New York City, where fans—regardless of borough or rival allegiances—have united in support, a rare moment of collective pride. The Knicks’ deep connection to New York stems from their long-standing status as the city’s sole NBA franchise before the Nets relocated to Brooklyn. Mike Greenberg, a lifelong Knicks fan and ESPN host, noted the team’s unique ability to make New York feel like a small town, with fans donning jerseys and cheering in streets across the five boroughs. ‘The Knicks being in the Finals is bigger in New York than the Super Bowl,’ he told USA Today Sports, highlighting the team’s cultural resonance. Suzyn Waldman, a former Knicks broadcaster at WFAN, attributed the team’s popularity to basketball’s accessibility—requiring only a court and a ball—and its ties to New York’s history. Many current and former players, including Spurs’ Julian Champagnie (a Brooklyn native) and Dylan Harper (raised near New Jersey), have local roots, reinforcing the sport’s deep connection to the city. Waldman also pointed out that the Knicks’ home, Madison Square Garden, sits centrally beneath Penn Station, making it a hub for all New Yorkers. Harvey Araton, a longtime *New York Times* columnist, emphasized the Knicks’ role as New York’s ‘city game,’ unlike football, baseball, or hockey, which are divided by boroughs or suburbs. The team’s proximity to the city’s heart—both geographically and culturally—has cemented its place in New York’s identity. Even the Spurs’ roster reflects this, with players like Champagnie and Harper tied to the region’s basketball culture. The Knicks’ playoff dominance has overshadowed past divisions, with fans from across the city embracing the moment. The team’s success has created a shared sense of excitement, proving that basketball remains the unifying sport of New York. With the Finals looming, the city’s energy is palpable, as if the entire metropolis is rooting for one team.