Knicks fans in New York are brainstorming some pretty creative excuses to skip work ahead of the NBA Championship parade at Canyon of Heroes on Thursday.
Some are planning to call in sick, while others might just not show up and cross their fingers. Few are holding onto the hope that their bosses will be understanding, all to avoid missing a huge celebration for their beloved team.
TV technician Kenny Rosa mentioned on Monday that he’ll start coughing on Wednesday and then develop a fever. “And once I clock out, I’ll definitely play up that I’m not feeling well for the next day,” he said.
Sam Suarez, who works at the Yale Club, emphasized the importance of mental health. “Today is Mental Health Day,” he remarked. “If you’re having a rough day, you really just need to call and say, ‘I can’t make it.’ Simple as that.”
“If you fake it, people will find out, so sometimes it’s best not to over-explain,” he added.
Justin, visiting from New Jersey, recounted sneaking into the city for the parade after skipping work in Seattle. “I’m not feeling too great, but I’ll be back when I’m better,” he casually told his supervisors.
Mayor Zoran Mamdani noted that the Knicks’ parade could be one of the city’s biggest ever, especially since fans are celebrating their team’s first NBA title in 53 years.
The excitement in the city has been palpable since Saturday’s Game 5 win against the San Antonio Spurs, with celebrations already underway and culminating in the upcoming parade.
For many long-time fans, missing work seems worth the risk.
“I’m calling you out of respect,” one fan from Harlem shared. When asked what excuse he’d give his boss, he replied, “My dog got sick.”
Another fan had a rather bold approach planned—he talked about intentionally fainting at work to get sent home with an “injury.”
David Polonia, a health worker from Long Island, had a different strategy in mind. “I told my boss I had a doctor’s appointment,” he explained. “He didn’t seem thrilled, but accepted it.”
However, many fans opted for honesty and hoped that it would pay off.
“Everybody knows, and I think my employer understands,” said David Dweck, a dedicated fan. “This is New York, and we love the Knicks… Sure, we might lose our jobs over this, but it’s part of the reality.”
“They’re aware we’ll be at the parade,” Dweck added. “I love the Knicks, but yeah, there might be repercussions later.”
