On Saturday, excitement filled the air outside Madison Square Garden as over 2,000 dedicated Knicks fans rallied at 33rd Street Plaza to catch the semi-final Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference on a big screen.
“This is real New York,” remarked Christopher Torres, 38, a retail director from Harlem, emphasizing the spirit of true Knicks fans. He noted that many in attendance were sanitation workers and firefighters who couldn’t afford to get into the arena, given the skyrocketing ticket prices.
As fans settled in a designated area hours before the game, they eagerly anticipated the live broadcast of Game 3. A smaller screen was also set up for viewing.
Jeff Kay, a 52-year-old retired police officer from Hillside, New Jersey, arrived at 10:30 a.m. to secure a prime spot. He expressed his anticipation for the event and reflected on how much he wished his late father could share this moment with him. “It’s the most magical place on earth. I wish my dad was here. He was a big Knicks fan, and it means a lot to me,” he shared.
The free “block party” organized by MSG featured live DJs, face painting for kids, opportunities for fans to shoot hoops, giveaways, and even meet former Knicks stars like Larry Johnson, John Starks, and Latrell Sprewell.
“We want to create an unforgettable experience for our fans, both inside and outside the garden,” Starks mentioned.
This was not the first time MSG hosted such an event; similar festivities took place for the first two games held in Boston.
Meanwhile, ticket prices in the secondary market were soaring, with the least expensive seat at MSG’s upper level fetching around $831, plus processing fees of $146, just under two hours before the game started.
If the Knicks manage to outplay the Celtics, it would mark their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2000, when Johnson and Sprewell were still on the roster. The team hasn’t made it to the NBA Finals since 1999 and hasn’t secured a championship since 1973, representing the fifth longest title drought in the league.
