Knicks Fans Gear Up for Eastern Conference Finals

As the Eastern Conference Finals get underway, devoted New York Knicks fans are gearing up with their rituals and superstitions. Many are meticulously cleaning jerseys and ensuring their TV sets are in top shape for Game 1.

“When the Knicks are down by double digits, it’s okay because I just haven’t seen the second half. Instead, I’ll be playing Earth Defense Force 5 and checking the scores occasionally,” one Reddit user shared recently. “I guess I might do this if necessary,” they continued, highlighting just how dedicated some fans can be to their pre-game routines.

Other fans on Reddit have recounted skipping games entirely, convinced that a bit of odd luck might help their team. One even mentioned, “I’ve been keeping my Knicks gear off since the series began. Now, I won’t wear anything Knicks-related until the series wraps up,” emphasizing the lengths some will go to in the pursuit of good luck.

At McMahon’s public house in Park Slope, bartender Colette Riley believes she’s the team’s secret charm. “Every time I’m off work, they lose,” she noted in an interview, adding that regular patrons have been bombarding her with messages demanding her presence during games. “They said, ‘You were here on Friday, or you might as well not come back,’” she laughed.

One bar regular, surrounded by fellow Knicks fans, shared that another patron has a particular game day routine. “He uses the same straw for every game and sits in the same spot,” Riley explained. “He even promised to shave his beard if I was working and they won…and he actually did that on Saturday.”

Outside Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, 22-year-old Danny sported a Jalen Brunson jersey, which has become a cherished tradition for fans. “I’m definitely wearing my Brunson jersey for good luck,” he mentioned, clearly optimistic. “Even if they lose the first game, we’re always the comeback kids!”

However, not all Knicks fans subscribe to the idea of superstitions. Doug Berns, 37, who has been writing musical parodies about each game since November, doesn’t buy into the whole superstition business. He expressed concern about how these beliefs can negatively impact other fans. “It’s about being genuinely invested as fans,” he said, reflecting on the anxiety around canceling watch parties due to fear of bad luck.

He noted, “Different fan groups canceled gatherings based on this so-called ‘Watch Party Curse.’ What, are we not allowed to enjoy a game with friends anymore?”

Despite his skepticism, Berns admitted to a few minor superstitions himself. “I’ll sometimes think, ‘We wore this shirt for a win, let’s wear it again,'” he acknowledged. Meanwhile, Will Z, 27, seems unbothered by any such rituals, confident that Game 1 is already “in the bag.”

“I’m heading out with friends to catch the game,” he casually stated, lamenting the high ticket prices for MSG. “I’ve got my lucky charm in my bag—Game 1 is ours,” he concluded, embodying the spirited optimism that accompanies the playoffs.