For the New York Knicks, a 53-year wait for another championship might have been decided by what happened in 4 1/2 seconds.

A thrilling, historic comeback victory in Game 4 of the N.BA. finals sent Madison Square Garden, and the rest of New York City, into a lasting frenzy.

© Shuran Huang for The New York Times

Largest comeback in NBA finals history galvanizes city and inspires morning-after chants of ‘Knicks in five!’

New Yorkers woke up on Thursday morning – those who had even slept in the city that never sleeps – still jubilant after the Knicks men’s basketball team had made history the night before.

The team staged the largest comeback in NBA finals history to overcome the San Antonio Spurs in the dying seconds of the fourth game of the finals – and put themselves 3-1 up and within one game of a rare championship win.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Olga Fedorova/EPA

© Photograph: Olga Fedorova/EPA

© Photograph: Olga Fedorova/EPA

The crowd at Madison Square Garden was forlorn as the New York Knicks fell far behind in Game 4 of the N.B.A. finals. After they won, it was electric.

© José A. Alvarado Jr. for The New York Times

An event for some of New York’s elite shifted gears when a TV rolled into the bar.

Mr. Wembanyama has had to keep a low profile while in New York to try and win the N.B.A. finals, but on visits there, he has always resisted hiding in hotel rooms and private cars.

© Al Bello/Getty Images

Hours before Wednesday’s game began, James Dolan, the owner of the Knicks, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani were publicly battling over who was to blame for the cancellation.

© Vincent Alban for The New York Times

Several blocks around Madison Square Garden will be closed to most people Wednesday afternoon. The city approved a ticketed watch party, though it was unclear whether it would take place.

© Vincent Alban for The New York Times

As New York basks in the attention of a long-awaited N.B.A. finals run, many San Antonians say the Spurs, and the city they represent, are being underestimated.

© Christopher Lee for The New York Times

Fans want to support their team, but they’re not willing to squelch their sense of style.

In bodegas and parks, in bars and pizzerias, the unofficial watch party has taken over New York.

© Todd Heisler/The New York Times

Victor Wembanyama has his first NBA Finals win — and the New York Knicks suddenly have a lot of work left to end their 53-year championship drought.

The president was unfazed. "It was, I think, mostly cheers," he told reporters after the game before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington. "It was loud, and it was very enthusiastic."

Earl “the Pearl” Monroe was part of the last championship team. Now 81, he has thoughts on what really matters.

© Associated Press

The night began with frustration and boos, and not because of the Knicks. But by the end of Game 3 of the N.B.A. finals, the team had slightly deflated some spirits, too.

© Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times

• President attends Spurs v Knicks game at MSG

• Knicks aiming to win first title since 1973

• Game report: Wembanyama ruins Garden’s party

Donald Trump was loudly booed when he was shown on the video screens at Madison Square Garden on Monday night before Game 3 of the NBA finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks.

Trump was shown on the jumbotron while the Star-Spangled Banner was being sung before the game, and jeers and boos broke out around the arena. The president was shown for a little over eight seconds and held a salute the whole time with a smile on his face. A few seconds later, the video board showed Knicks players in line and the boos turned to cheers.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trump is set to be the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game, bringing strict security measures that will require New York Knicks fans to navigate an extensive safety perimeter around Madison Square Garden and an expected lengthy wait to get inside the building.

With President Trump and Mayor Zohran Mamdani set to attend Monday night’s Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, there will be strict security in Midtown Manhattan.

© Vincent Alban for The New York Times

Not everyone in the city is being swept up in the team’s championship drive. Some are just trying to see a Broadway show, or spin some yarn.

© DeSean McClinton-Holland for The New York Times

When the Knicks return home for Game 3 of the N.B.A. finals, much of New York City will be watching, including some well-known guests.

© Shuran Huang for The New York Times