New York Knicks fans erupted in celebration Monday night after their team swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, securing a spot in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. The victory ends a 53-year championship drought and marks only the third Finals appearance for the franchise since their last title in 1973.
A sea of blue and orange flooded New York City streets, with fans carrying brooms to mock the Cavaliers' exit. Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined the fun on social media, teasing the opposing team.
"It's a magical thing, a historic thing," said center Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 19 points in the clinching game. "It's something New York has been dying for."
The Knicks' resurgence began with team President Leon Rose, who took over in 2020 as the franchise faced a seventh straight playoff miss. He transformed the team into a contender, building around point guard Jalen Brunson-this year's Eastern Conference Finals MVP-and adding six-time All-Star Towns.
Despite an 11-game playoff winning streak, the Knicks enter the Finals as underdogs. They will face either the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or the San Antonio Spurs, featuring French phenom Victor Wembanyama.
The Knicks boast a star-studded fan base, with filmmaker Spike Lee, actor Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller, and comedian Tracy Morgan among those celebrating Monday's win. From everyday New Yorkers to Hollywood A-listers, the city stands united behind the team.