{"id":251161,"date":"2026-06-01T18:33:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T18:33:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/251161\/"},"modified":"2026-06-01T18:33:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T18:33:09","slug":"game-on-brooklyn-gets-ready-to-cheer-for-the-knicks-during-the-nba-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/251161\/","title":{"rendered":"Game On: Brooklyn Gets Ready to Cheer For The Knicks During The NBA Finals"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the first time since the 1970s, Brooklyn residents dare to dream of a Knicks NBA championship win. Brooklynites are gearing up for the first game against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. \n<\/p>\n

The NBA Finals<\/a> tip\u00a0off in two days and eager Brooklyn fans of the New York Knickerbockers<\/a> can’t quite focus on their day-to-day routine until Wednesday night when the\u00a0No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs host the No. 3 Knicks in Game 1 of the 2026 Finals.<\/p>\n

The Knicks, which last won the title in 1973, have\u00a0shown focus, hustle and improved ball movement this season, where the team steamrolled into the finals after winning seven straight games with an all-time playoff high +26.4-point win margin.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It certainly feels like the 1990s in New York City, where it seemed like every bar and household was tuned into each game, bringing city residents together. The anticipation is palpable for\u00a0Jose Alvarado<\/a>, a Knicks point guard and a Williamsburg native. If his team win the championship, Alvarado told the\u00a07pm in Brooklyn podcast<\/a> recently about how he’ll celebrate: \u201cIf we win \u2026 I\u2019ma be drunk for eight days.\u201d<\/p>\n

To capture the moment, we asked Brooklyn residents where they will be watching the conference finals and what they plan to do if the Knicks win.<\/p>\n

Karen Perez, a 32-year-old product designer from Greenpoint, is showing her pride through her dog, Colton. She’ll be watching the playoffs at Gowanus Yacht Club<\/a> and looking forward to the Knicks clinching the championship. The level of excitement hasn’t been seen “since the late 90s, so we\u2019re really excited for the city.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\nMelina Salem and Solomon Green. Photo: Ava Sharahy for BK Reader <\/p>\n

Melina Salem, a 30-year old account manager, and her partner, Solomon Green, of Greenpoint, said they are planning on watching the playoffs at their local bar, The Palace<\/a>. If the Knicks win, Salem said she plans on \u201crunning around outside; I wanna be part of the swarm of the people, part of the hive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Friends and clinical research recruiters Brett DiSanto, 33 of Greenpoint, and Dylan Bergkenfeld, 34 of Williamsburg, are watching the first game together, having booked Birdie\u2019s Sporting Club<\/a> minutes before they spoke to BK Reader.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re storming Madison Square Garden, being in the streets,\u201d DiSanto added, regarding the Knicks\u2019 potential win.<\/p>\n

Jack Peterson, a 25-year-old political organizer from Bay Ridge, is planning on watching the playoffs at Franklin Park<\/a> in Crown Heights.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re supposed to climb poles, right?\u201d he joked when asked what he would do if the Knicks won.<\/p>\n

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\n. Brett DiSanto and Dylan Bergkenfeld. Photo: Ava Sharahy for BK Reader <\/p>\n

Sydney Gruneiro, 24 of Bed-Stuy and Theo Zazone, 27, of Bushwick will be working during the playoffs at the sports bar Blazers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast time the Knicks were in the championships, I was an infant,\u201d said Zazone, a New York native. \u201cIt really brings people together to celebrate.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\nSydney Gruneiro and Theo Zazone. Photo: Ava Sharahy for BK Reader <\/p>\n

Bill MacLaughlin, 41, said he’ll be watching the playoffs at home for his children’s sake.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo I look like someone who\u2019s gonna climb up on a lamppost?\u201d he said, when asked what he would do if the Knicks won. \u201cWe\u2019re not like that \u2013 we\u2019re classy.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\nBill MacLaughlin.\u00a0\u00a0Photo: Ava Sharahy for BK Reader <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n