According to Clyde, the entire city is buzzing with excitement.
Knicks Fever was in full swing with fans celebrating the team’s advancement against the Boston Celtics, a matchup that sparked heated feelings among both locals and tourists at the NBA store in Midtown. Enthusiastic supporters were eager to grab Williams’ team gear after the Knicks clinched victory over the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
Merchandise like jerseys and hats flew off the shelves at the store.
New York managed to take a 3-2 lead in the playoff series, heightening anticipation as game 6 at Madison Square Garden approaches this Friday.
“It was wild in here. Game 3 was insane,” an employee shared, noting that it just so happened to be the one playoff game the Knicks lost to the Celtics.
“People are buying everything—shirts, hats, jackets. You name it.”
The Knicks are leading the series against the defending champions, despite many basketball enthusiasts and odds makers thinking New York didn’t stand a chance.
After coming back to win two games in Boston, the momentum shifted, and the Knicks traded victories in the subsequent games.
This Friday presents a chance for New York to win the series for the first time since 2000, a step that could lead them to the Eastern Conference Finals—keeping the city’s championship dreams alive.
The idea that the Knicks might defeat the Celtics in the playoffs—something they haven’t done since 2013—has transformed some New Yorkers into excited Knicks fans this spring.
Umut and Elif Sevji, who typically support the Houston Rockets, found themselves cheering for the Knicks during their visit from Turkey. “It’s not my favorite team, but we’re in New York!” Umut said.
They usually root for Houston’s Alperen Senggan, but swapped out for Knicks gear this week, arranging to catch Friday’s game at a local pub.
Elif remarked, “The New York vibe seems great!” as she pointed to her husband’s new shirt.
Clarissa Solon spent hundreds on Knicks jerseys featuring star player Jalen Brunson, gifting them to her son and husband back in Argentina. “It’s a total coincidence; I just happened to be in New York during the playoffs,” she said.
Another supporter, Kevin Shah, expressed his eagerness to see a game at Madison Square Garden but struggled to find a ticket. “I’m really excited, even if it costs about $1,000,” she mentioned.
One dedicated fan, who chose to remain anonymous, shared that his home is adorned with Knicks memorabilia collected over almost five years. When asked about how he felt about the team’s performance, he casually stated it didn’t matter much to him.
“I grew up watching the Knicks back in ’78,” he reflected. “So this is thrilling. It feels like home.”
