Packing the streets on May 16, thousands of New York City Knicks fans celebrate as their team’s win guarantees their first appearance in the NBA Eastern Conference finals in 25 years. Loyal Knicks fans have been looking forward to this history-making performance, and they really know how to show it. After the game 6 versus the Celtics, New York transformed into an endless vision of blue and orange.
Fans celebrated in a multitude of different ways. People were seen climbing anything in sight, from billboards, light posts, to ladders and more. The streets looked more like a concert than just a regular street. One fan even lit a Celtics jacket on fire and held it up in the crowd. Videos on TikTok showed fans crowd surfing on a blue ladder and climbing light posts. When asked about her opinions on the videos being shared online, Yorba Linda High School senior Faith Alam (12) says, “I really enjoy seeing the energy that New York is bringing, and I think it just makes sports so much more interesting when fans are so passionate about the teams they love.”
Many celebrities and famous figures were spotted supporting the Knicks recently as well. Bad Bunny, A Boogie, Ben Stiller, J.R. Smith, Tracy Morgan, Maggie Rogers, Tina Fey, Mary J. Blige, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, and more were all seen seated in the “celebrity row”. Consistent Knicks fan Timothee Chalamet, who has been spotted decked out in merch and sitting courtside and various games, was swarmed as he tried to make his exit after the last game. Fans embraced him in an enthusiastic hug as he got into his car to leave. As a born and raised New Yorker, fans have been loving seeing him still supporting the Knicks and have even shared throwback pictures of him with Knicks player Amar’e Stoudemire from when Timothee was 14 years old. Kaylie Cao (12) shared her thoughts, saying that “it is really cool to see how many people are coming together to support the Knicks.”
On May 21st, the Knicks will play the Indiana Pacers in the 1st game of many. Whichever of these teams comes out on top will advance to the NBA finals. What is extremely interesting about this turn of events is that the Pacers have actually been the Knicks’ competition for the last three trips to the conference finals. Last year, the Pacers beat the Knicks in the 7-game series 2nd round last year. However, both of these teams have changed a lot since their last time playing each other, so Wednesday’s game is sure to shake things up.
Since things are heating up for the Knicks as they continue to advance further and NYC knows how to go all out with celebration. For many, this is a source of questioning because people wonder what the streets of New York will look like if the Knicks make it to the NBA finals, considering how crazy they look.
