After more than five decades of heartbreak and disappointment, the New York Knicks are champions again.
The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 on Saturday night to seal a 4-1 series victory and capture the NBA championship, ending a title drought that stretched back to 1973.
Although the decisive Game 5 was played at the Spurs’ Frost Center in Texas, celebrations erupted across New York City as thousands of fans flooded bars, restaurants and streets to witness one of the most memorable moments in the franchise’s history.
A number of supporters also travelled to San Antonio to cheer on their team. Among them was Elizabeth Madigan, who flew in from New York a day before the 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.
“I definitely had my doubts. But we did pull it off. Knicks forever.”
The triumph marks a remarkable turnaround for a franchise that spent years struggling near the bottom of the league. The Knicks had not reached the NBA Finals since 1999 — coincidentally against the Spurs — when they fell short. Their previous championship came in 1973.
Entering Saturday’s contest with a 3-1 advantage in the series, fans dared to believe that the long wait was finally over.
“I grew up watching the Knicks. They were so bad for so long,” said Jake Minicucci while watching the game with friends at a sports bar in Manhattan. “This might be the first time I cry in a very long time, tonight.”
Even US President Donald Trump joined the celebrations, congratulating the team and owner Jim Dolan, who had invited him to Game 3 of the Finals 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,” Trump wrote.
Hours before tip-off, anticipation had reached fever pitch across New York.
“This city is electric,” Minicucci said. “I’ve never gotten so many head nods, everybody knowing we are in it for the Knicks together.”
For lifelong fan Daniel Brown, the victory was a moment he had dreamed of for years.
“To be one of the best nights in the history of this city,” he said before adding, “I’ve lived here all my life, I’ve never experienced anything like this.”
Now, after 53 years of waiting, Knicks fans finally have another championship to celebrate.
