New Yorkers and Texans are ready for their states to square off in the NBA Finals \u2014 and Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Ted Cruz even agreed on a wager in a rare show of friendly sportsmanship across the political aisle.<\/p>\n
The New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs are set to tip off at Frost Bank Center, the Texans\u2019 home court, Wednesday night. Tensions are already flaring between die-hard fans, including MAGA Republican Cruz and Democrat Gillibrand.<\/p>\n
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz made a bet with New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Getty Images<\/p>\n
Cruz tagged Gillibrand in a post on X<\/a> and suggested betting on their respective states\u2019 teams.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the [Knicks] win (not gonna happen!) the series, then you & your team get Texas BBQ, Shiner Bock beer & Blue Bell ice cream. When the [Spurs] win, the loser wears the winner\u2019s jersey. Deal?\u201d Cruz pitched.<\/p>\n Gillibrand and Cruz agreed to take the winner and their staff out to dinner. Getty Images for Human Rights Campaign<\/p>\n Gillibrand agreed and said she would treat Cruz and his staff to a hearty meal at \u201cthe world-famous Joe\u2019s Pizza and Brooklyn Lager\u201d if the Knicks fall to the Spurs.<\/p>\n \u201cGo NY Go!\u201d she added.<\/p>\n The politicians\u2019 uncharacteristically amicable t\u00eate-\u00e0-t\u00eate came after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott trolled New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n Abbott posted an AI-generated image on Sunday depicting himself in a Spurs jersey \u201cdunking\u201d on Hochul, clad in a Knicks jersey, with President Trump laughing from the sidelines.<\/p>\n Texas Gov. Greg Abbott posted a less-friendly picture of himself \u201cdunking\u201d on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. X \/ @GregAbbott_TX<\/p>\n \u201cSpurs about to dunk on Knicks like Texas has been dunking on New York. Go Spurs Go,\u201d Abbott wrote.<\/p>\n Hochul crafted a short-and-sweet response on Monday, taking a jab at Abbott\u2019s staunch stance on transgender people\u2019s participation in athletics<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cBREAKING: Greg Abbott comes out for men and women competing on the same court,\u201d Hochul wrote.<\/p>\n The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs are competing in the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n The oft-opposed politicians aren\u2019t the only ones putting their pride on the line for the good of the game.<\/p>\n When the Knicks were still giving the Philadelphia 76ers a slow death in the Eastern Conference Finals, a pair of cheesesteak connoisseurs wagered their livelihoods<\/a>.<\/p>\n Frank Olivieri, proud owner of Philadelphia\u2019s iconic Pat\u2019s King of Steaks, and Louis Cretella, co-owner of Dario\u2019s Pizza in West Hempstead, agreed to cook in the winner\u2019s restaurant while decked out in the opposite team\u2019s gear.<\/p>\n