![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.manhattantimesnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1-DSC00386PHOTO-BY-CRISTOBAL-VIVAR.jpg\")
<\/a> Lit up.<\/p>\nFrom the Empire State Building to the bodegas, the city is swathed in orange and blue.<\/p>\n
The New York Knicks last earned an NBA championship in 1973, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1. They came close again in 1999, facing off against the San Antonio Spurs led by Tim Duncan, but ultimately fell short.<\/p>\n
This is a different day.<\/p>\n
The stunning away-Game One win on June 3rd was led by Karl-Anthony Towns (named as a 16-year-old to the Dominican Republic national team) in the third quarter and then by Jalen Brunson in the fourth. The Knicks completed a 14-point comeback against the Spurs to take a 1-0 lead. Brunson was injured early in the game after Harrison Barnes ran into his right leg while trying to recover a rebound. To fans\u2019 chagrin, the Knicks superstar was forced to head to the locker room. However, after bandaging his knee and regrouping, \u201cCaptain Clutch\u201d returned and willed the team forward, scoring 13 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n
The final score: 105-95.<\/p>\n The second matchup on June 5th proved no less contentious. There were 25 lead changes throughout the continuous battle, culminating in the last 30 seconds of play. After Brunson missed a shot, Victor Wembanyama grabbed the rebound and tried to pass it to a teammate running up the court. Ever lurking, Brunson snuck in for the steal. In the chaos, the 7\u20194\u2033 Frenchman fouled Brunson, allowing the Knicks to take the lead, 105-104. Finally, Wembanyama missed the final potential game-winner, leaving the 2026 Knicks just 2 wins away from immortality.<\/p>\n With a team 53 years removed from a championship, and in a city that hasn\u2019t seen a men\u2019s team win a chip since the 2009 Yankees, Knicks fans are on the edge of their seats and in the streets \u2013 for the next two games at MSG as they eye a sweep.<\/p>\n While watch parties abound across the city, none compare to the epicenter of fandom: near and at Madison Square Garden (MSG). Electric and raucous, the crowds have gathered at Pennsylvania Plaza for every game during this improbable run of 14 consecutive wins.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a fierce fight \u2013 just ask Elmo.<\/p>\n For more, visit www.nba.com\/knicks<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a> A fan sketches views of downtown Manhattan in the chaos of celebration.<\/p>\n<\/a> Stepping up.<\/p>\n<\/a> Exultation.<\/a> Hands up.<\/p>\n<\/a> Comeback kings.<\/a> Popping pride.<\/p>\n<\/a> Three\u2019s a crowd.<\/a> Holding the line.<\/p>\n<\/a> On top.<\/a> Say it loud(er).<\/p>\n