The New York Knicks won the National Basketball Association championship for the first time in over 50 years, sending the city and fans into a frenzy after the long-awaited victory.
The Knicks clinched the title on Saturday night against the San Antonio Spurs, 94-90, in the fifth game of the best-of-seven series.
While the game was in Texas, New Yorkers took to their hometown streets in droves to watch and celebrate the milestone for fans and the city.
Some fans also made their way to Texas where the two teams faced off at the Frost Center, the Spurs’ home arena.
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Elizabeth Madigan flew to San Antonio from New York Friday night ahead of Saturday’s game.
“I’ve been waiting for this, honestly most of my life. The last time the Knicks won, I was 6 months old, and so I can’t begin to describe how excited I am. It’s been unbelievable,” she said.
“I definitely had my doubts. But we did pull it off. Knicks forever.”
This season has represented a stunning reversal of fortune for the Knicks after decades as one of the worst teams in the league. The last time they made it all the way to the finals was in 1999, also against the Spurs, who ultimately beat them. Their last finals win was even earlier, in 1973.
They held a 3-1 lead in the series heading into Saturday’s game.
One fan who only gave his first name, Max, said that winning the game away from the Knicks’ home arena in New York, Madison Square Garden, isn’t important.
“I don’t think it matters [that they won in Texas]. New York is going crazy right now and there’s a million Knicks fans here right now, so it doesn’t matter.
US President Donald Trump posted congratulations to the team and Knicks owner Jim Dolan, who invited him to game 3 of the series in New York.
“What a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four – Maybe the greatest in the history of basketball,” the post read.
Fans’ anticipation before the game was like a champagne bottle about to pop.
“This city is electric,” said Jake Minicucci, while waiting with friends at a Manhattan sports bar for the game to start. “I’ve never gotten so many head nods, everybody knowing we are in it for the Knicks together.”
The 50-plus year drought was very much on the minds of some Knicks fans including Daniel Brown who said the evening had the potential “to be one of the best nights in the history of this city.”
“I’ve lived here all my life, I’ve never experienced anything like this,” said the 24-year-old.
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Fans celebrated into the early hours Sunday morning with crowds taking over parts of Midtown Manhattan, including several blocks near Times Square. Some subway lines were altered with trains skipping stations due to the large crowds.
“HISTORY,” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote on social media.
“Through near misses, heartbreak and a hope that every year could be our year, this city never stopped believing in the Knicks,” a statement from the mayor obtained by BBC news partner CBS said.
A ticker-tape parade and ceremony at City Hall to celebrate the team’s victory is scheduled for Thursday.
Ahead of the game, Mamdani said in a post that the city was working with the Knicks to host watch parties at the Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Wollman Rink.
“As we celebrate, be responsible, look out for one another, stay safe, be smart, and make this a night that reflects the very best of our city,” the mayor said.
His call for safety came after a few instances of violence in New York against Spurs fans, including one assault that landed a fan in the hospital and another in which a fast food worker wearing a Spurs jersey was attacked, according to local reports.
Madigan said that in San Antonio, even as a Knicks fan, she felt welcome.
“Honestly, the San Antonians have been so loving and welcoming despite the obvious competition,” she said.
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Ahead of Saturday’s Game 5, fans travelling to San Antonio from New York for the game were furious about possibly getting locked out of the arena.
In a note on its website for the game, Ticketmaster said purchases by those living farther than 150mi (241km) from the San Antonio arena would be cancelled and refunded without notice.
Later Ticketmaster assured fans that no tickets purchased on its platform “have or will be canceled”.
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