Chants of ‘Knicks in four!’ could be heard from the streets of New York to the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Friday night after the Eastern Conference champions took Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
In holding off a valiant Spurs’ comeback effort, the Knicks seized a 2-0 series lead and are now just two wins away from their first NBA title since 1973 with the series shifting back to Madison Square Garden on Monday.
It wasn’t a surprise to hear fireworks in the Five Boroughs, where fans haven’t even whiffed the NBA Finals since 1999. What was less expected were the throngs of New Yorkers who descended on San Antonio for Games 1 and 2, where many thought the crowd was split between Spurs and Knicks fans.
Chants of ‘let’s go Knicks! let’s go Knicks!’ echoed throughout the Frost Bank Center concourse after Victor Wembanyama’s potential game-winner rimmed out in the final seconds on Friday night.
And after the game, several Knicks fans lingered inside the arena, including one who held a sign identifying the building as ‘MSG San Antonio.’
Knicks fans were seen chanting ‘Knicks in four’ after the team’s Game 2 win in San Antonio
Knicks fans did not hesitate to make their way to San Antonio for Game 2 on Friday night
Knicks were packing the area around Madison Square Garden even before tip-off on Friday
‘You know New Yorkers do not listen to authority,’ Inside the NBA co-host and native New Yorker Kenny Smith said during the post-game show. ‘Can you leave the arena?’ Never.’
‘It’s loud man, it’s real loud,’ Knicks star Mikal Bridges told Inside the NBA after the win. ‘I’m happy to have them. They bring so much energy and we need them.’
As was the case after New York’s Game 1 win, Knicks fans packed the area outside Madison Square Garden, where one of many watch parties took place for Friday’s Game 2.
And Knicks fans had good reason to be enthusiastic after the team’s performance on Friday.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the way at the Frost Bank Center with 21 points and 13 rebounds on the night, as New York showed the collective quality that has carried them throughout the playoffs.
NYPD Inspector Timothy Beaudette tells New York Knicks fans to clear the area before a watch party at Madison Square Garden on Friday
New York Knicks fans react during the watch party at Madison Square Garden for Game 2
Watch parties popped throughout the city, including the courts at West 4 known as ‘The Cage’
Fans used a projector for Game 2 on Friday night in lower Manhattan to see the Knicks win
Bridges was superb in support, finishing with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, adding six assists and six rebounds in another impressive all-round display.
Knicks star Jalen Brunson was not at his sharpest, shooting 7-of-25 from the field, but still found ways to contribute with 20 points, six assists and five steals.
Wembanyama gave San Antonio everything he had – with 29 points and nine rebounds – but the Spurs were unable to secure the win they so desperately needed. He also committed a costly turnover in the final 10 seconds of play, putting New York in position for the one-point win.
De’Aaron Fox added 20 points and five assists for the Spurs, who led by as many as 12 in the first quarter before New York rallied to outscore them in the final three periods.
