On Friday night, a euphoric scene unfolded outside Madison Square Garden as Knicks fans celebrated after the team’s victory over the Celtics. This marked their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2000, a moment made even sweeter by their 119-81 upset win against the defending champions.
Following the game, thousands of fans gathered and took over 7th Avenue, their energy palpable as they cheered with chants like “Bye Bye” and “F-K Boston” while the Celtics’ buses tried to make their way out of town.
Notably, renowned Knicks superfan Spike Lee was spotted hanging out of a car window to enjoy the post-game festivities, and his fellow fan, Timothy Chalamet, was similarly embraced by the exuberant crowd.
Social media was rife with videos depicting the chaos, including shirtless fans scaling light poles and hanging around taxi kiosks, all while recording the celebration on their phones.
In one dramatic moment, a fan dramatically ignited a Celtics jacket, raising it high above his head, while another crowd member likened the fervor to a concert riot.
“I even saw my bra flying,” one fan, known as Sjthedonn from the Bronx, humorously recounted to reporters.
As the night went on, it seemed like everyone was simply overwhelmed with the victory. “When it was time to leave and people started getting tired, the crowds were so massive—it was just a lot of shouting,” one fan noted, reflecting on the spirited atmosphere.
Looking ahead, the Knicks are gearing up to face the Pacers in the NBA Finals, entering the matchup as favorites. The teams previously met in the second round last season, where the Pacers edged out a seven-game series with a decisive Game 7 win at Madison Square Garden.
As for the upcoming games, Game 1 will take place at MSG on Wednesday, followed by Game 2 on Friday night. The series will shift to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Sunday.
