You might call it something like “energetic” to gather together.
On Wednesday evening, during Game 4, a dramatic moment unfolded as Gotham’s team clinched a tense 107-106 victory against the San Antonio Spurs with just 1.2 seconds remaining. Interestingly, a viewing party took place in a rather unusual—if slightly eerie—setting: the Sparrow Modern Funeral Home in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
Perhaps the spirit of distant Knicks supporters joined in too?
Sparrow’s owner, Erica Hill, expressed her surprise at the “microviral” response to an Instagram post that invited people to the event. The post featured the Knicks logo with a playful line that read, “We know a thing or two about loss.”
Hill, who opened the boutique funeral home in November 2021, has always envisioned her space as more than just a place for mourning. It has hosted book launches, meditation sessions, and even comedy shows, aiming to offer a different atmosphere.
The viewing party environment was more subdued compared to a typical sports bar, yet it maintained an atmosphere of excitement.
“What I’m saying is that funeral homes shouldn’t be limited to just ‘death spaces,’” Hill noted. By designing Sparrow with bright walls, modern art, and a skylight, she aimed to shift away from the conventional dark and gloomy feel often associated with such places. “Why can’t it be a community venue for various activities?”
It wasn’t the only unexpected location hosting festivities. The Islamic Center of New York City in the West Village anticipated about 100 fans for a similar gathering that evening. Meanwhile, the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City invited attendees for a lively “After Dark” event inside its planetarium.
Hill drew inspiration for the watch party after viewing a Knicks video featuring Karl-Anthony “KAT” Towns, who spoke emotionally about feeling his late mother’s presence during Game 1 of the Finals. Towns lost his mother in April 2020 from COVID-19 complications, and he expressed a profound sense of calm and peace while playing.
Hill, who lost her father—an avid basketball fan—years ago, resonated deeply with Towns’ sentiments.
“We live in a culture that tends to avoid discussions about death and grief,” she reflected. “And then you see this New York Knicks player, mentioning his mother, feeling her presence. It sparked the idea of hosting a watch party here to pay tribute.”
One participant, Will Borowski, a 28-year-old gravedigger, learned about the event from his friend Gabriel Gatto, a death doula who often meets at Sparrow. Initially skeptical about the unconventional idea, Borowski embraced the opportunity enthusiastically.
“When you’re a gravedigger, you start your job thinking of grieving families… but it all becomes part of the job,” he said. “Being here reflects that. Everyone came because they cherished someone who loved this sport.”
Instead of a traditional sign-in book, partygoers added names of their deceased loved ones to a Knicks-themed board titled “Who Are You Watching For?” For Borowski, it was his uncle Kevin.
“He was always part of my thoughts,” Borowski recalled, remembering the discussions they’d have about the team.
Gabriel Gatto also honored her late uncle Vinny, a firefighter who passed away due to 9/11-related cancer. “He would have adored this. He lived life vigorously and believed in making connections,” Gatto shared.
Sarah Donnellan, a 31-year-old author, arrived with her husband after seeing the funeral home’s Instagram post shared as a joke. Having been to other events at Sparrow, she appreciated its warm atmosphere and how it uniquely addresses death.
Her husband, Drummond Dominguez-Kincannon, initially hesitated at the thought of attending.
“I had my doubts, you know?” he admitted. But learning about Sparrow’s mission quickly changed his perspective. “That’s pretty cool to me. This isn’t a dimly lit place; it feels uplifting inside.”
Ultimately, their visit highlighted how joy and sadness can coexist, fostering a sense of community. “I like the thought of a space like this not limited to mourning,” Sarah noted. “It’s just about recognizing that it doesn’t have to be this scary place.”
