The atmosphere was already electrifying.
But Monday has the potential to be historic.
This playoff journey, marked by 13 consecutive wins, including five at home, captured the sheer excitement inside Madison Square Garden.
And honestly, that’s just the beginning; the real experience for Knicks fans is yet to unfold.
Everything is aligned for Monday’s Game 3 to stand out as a defining moment for New York City’s basketball legacy.
The Knicks are heading back home with a 2-0 lead in the series, having won both road games to kick off the Finals.
“We trust our fans to show up and support us like they always do,” Karl-Anthony Towns expressed after practice on Sunday. “I’m really eager to play. There’s something extraordinarily special about playing basketball at such a high level, being able to lace up and see our fans again during Finals basketball after all this time.”
The anticipation is almost palpable.
For nearly three decades, this iconic venue has been a pressure cooker, just waiting for the right moment to erupt.
The last time a Finals game took place here was June 25, 1999, when the Knicks lost to the Spurs, ending their series.
“It’s pretty amazing. It’s been 27 years since this arena hosted Finals games,” Jalen Brunson noted. “Our fans are clearly excited, and rightfully so.”
There hasn’t been a Finals matchup in this city since the early 2000s.
Interestingly, back in 1999, the Knicks returned home down 2-0 in the series, which noticeably impacted their energy.
If you want to find a Finals game where the Knicks either started at home or at least tied the series, you’d have to go back to Game 5 in ’94.
“We’ve got to keep our fans at the forefront,” Towns said. “They’ve earned the chance to witness Finals basketball at Madison Square Garden. It’s been far too long since they’ve experienced it. It’s on us to give them something to rally behind, to cheer for, and to believe in.”
“We discussed ‘hope.’ That sentiment has returned to the city. However, for quite some time, ‘success’ has been absent. We need to keep fighting to transform those sentiments into reality,” he added.
This young Spurs team has shown vulnerability in tense situations, and they’re about to face an atmosphere like no other.
“The excitement at the game will be intense,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “This arena is truly one of a kind, and there will be additional challenges on top of that.”
Victor Wembanyama seems unfazed and feels prepared for the pressure.
The unique vibe of Madison Square Garden is felt even before Game 3 kicks off.
There appeared to be twice the number of media at Sunday’s practice compared to San Antonio.
Fat Joe and Jadakiss even dropped by, hilariously interrupting coach Mike Brown’s press conference and holding their own quick media session.
Ben Stiller was spotted filming on the premises, adding to the buzz.
This venue is primed for an extraordinary moment.
“It feels distinct from any other place I’ve been to,” Brown remarked.
