New Yorkers woke up on Thursday morning, even those who barely slept in the city that never rests, still elated after the Knicks men's basketball team made history the night before. The team orchestrated the largest comeback in NBA finals history, overcoming the San Antonio Spurs in the final seconds of Game 4, taking a 3-1 series lead and standing one win away from a rare championship.
The Big Apple is buzzing with excitement. Dancing, singing, and chanting continued into the early hours across all five boroughs, particularly in midtown Manhattan. At Madison Square Garden, the New York Knickerbockers erased a staggering 29-point deficit, turning despair into delirium for home fans. The Empire State Building glowed in the team's orange and blue colors.
Early Thursday, bleary-eyed commuters rushed to work with double coffees, while pedestrians had an extra spring in their step. “Oh, man, I’m feeling fantastic,” said 53-year-old Kiba Bones in midtown Manhattan. “It was epic, history made. Thank God for the Knicks.” Bones, born in the Bronx and now living in Queens, watched the game at home. “Knicks in five,” he said, noting that the last championship came in 1973, the year he was born.
Despite the post-game frenzy outside the Garden, by morning the streets were clean and safety barriers removed. A sea of orange and blue filled the streets as commuters sported Knicks caps and jerseys, exchanging knowing nods. “Let’s go, Knicks!” a man shouted across Seventh Avenue, answered by another with “Knicks in five!”
Inside the arena after the winning shot, celebrities were stunned. Spike Lee nearly collapsed in surprise after OG Anunoby’s winner. Jerry Seinfeld stood frozen, 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. Even the city’s most recognizable faces seemed overwhelmed.
Heightened security from Donald Trump’s appearance at Game 3 remained in place for Game 4. Authorities sealed off blocks around the arena, creating a “frozen zone,” according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. However, minutes after the final buzzer, thousands of orange-and-blue-clad fans filled the streets around Penn Station, chanting “Knicks in five!” and “Fuck you, Wemby!” directed at Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. Former Knicks guard Iman Shumpert joined the crowd in his No. 21 jersey.
Some scenes turned chaotic as fans climbed street signs and traffic signals, and shirtless women crowd-surfed. Violence also occurred; the NYPD reported 56 people taken into custody, with 15 arrested and 41 released with summonses. Ten officers were injured. Outside the Spurs’ hotel, fans hurled objects at Wembanyama, forcing him to duck inside.
On Thursday morning, subway riders discussed key moments of the game. “The city feels alive,” one passenger said. “Knicks in five,” another replied. In Hell’s Kitchen, Jaynee Byrd, 31, expressed hope for a championship. “We got this,” she said. “One more game, and we’re done.” Wearing an orange-and-blue shirt, she added, “Knicks in five!”
