CLEVELAND — Knicks Fans Take Over

There’s an unmistakable surge of orange and blue in Cleveland.

On the eve of Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers, excited Knicks fans swarmed the city, seizing the opportunity presented by lower ticket prices.

Thousands of fans from New York gathered in the Rockets area to witness the Knicks’ victory over the Cavs, marking their first Finals appearance in 27 years and their first championship win in 53 years.

“It’s wild. I didn’t even think I’d stay this long,” Monica Martinez, a passionate fan, shared. She mentioned she drove six hours to get to Cleveland. “I’ve extended my trip. I’ve been waiting for this moment for 25 years, so I’m going to soak it all in.”

Many cost-conscious New Yorkers opted for the trip to Cleveland, as attending a game at Madison Square Garden is just too pricey, with ticket prices soaring into the hundreds or thousands of dollars.

The average ticket to Rocket Arena was significantly more affordable, generally ranging from $150 to $200.

Vernon Barranza, from Forest Hills, snagged tickets for Game 3 at just $137. That’s a stark contrast to the steep costs at the Garden during playoff season.

“It’s ridiculous,” Barranza commented on the famed arena in Manhattan. “The cheapest tickets are around $500 or $600. Even that’s out of my reach.”

Archer Batraville, a Brooklyn native now living in Miami, also made the trip.

“This means everything to me as someone who was born and raised in New York. I live and die with every shot,” he said, reflecting on the long wait. “It’s been so many years since 1999. We’re geared up for a chance at revenge against the Spurs.”

Currently, the San Antonio Spurs, who bested the Knicks in the 1999 NBA Finals, are competing against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.

Former Knicks player Stephon Marbury made an appearance as well. A clip he shared showed him gathering fellow fans on a flight to Cleveland for the game.

“We went all out after the game, not before,” he remarked. “Let’s go back to New York!”