New York Knicks fans took to the streets of Manhattan Wednesday night to celebrate the team’s first playoff series victory in 10 years when they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Knicks fans chanted and chanted near Madison Square Garden as they watched their beloved team defeat the Cavaliers on the road, 106-95, in Game 5.
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New York Knicks fans are seen during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Filmmaker Shelton Jackson «Spike» Lee watches the game wearing a Knicks jersey at Madison Square Garden. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
New York hadn’t won a playoff series since 2013 when they made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. This year’s playoffs are the organization’s second postseason appearance since. In 2021, the Knicks fell to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round in five games.
It is only the second time in 23 years that the team has advanced to the playoffs.
Jalen Brunson had 23 points in the win. The highly paid free agent who came over from the Dallas Mavericks in the offseason spoke about what winning the series meant to him. His father, Rick, played for the Knicks from 1999 to 2001.
Jalen Brunson, #11 of the New York Knicks, talks with Darius Garland, #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers, after the Knicks’ 106-95 victory in Game 5 of a first-round basketball playoff series of the NBA on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 in Cleveland. The Knicks won the series. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
THE KNICKS ADVANCE TO THE SECOND ROUND OF THE NBA PLAYOFFS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 10 YEARS
«I thought about that today. It’s a great experience to know that my father played here,» Brunson told reporters after the game. «He didn’t lead that team, but he was on that team that made it to the Finals. It’s special and the connection to my dad and everything, it’s full circle. It’s really special.»
Ironically, the Knicks will take on the Miami Heat in the second round of the playoffs to reignite a rivalry that really came to a head during New York’s run to the NBA Finals in 1999. The two teams literally met in the first round. in which New York won in five games. Rick Brunson appeared in four games.
New York will have home court advantage, and The Garden will certainly be great.
Jalen Brunson, #11 of the New York Knicks, calls for a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first round playoff series on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
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«The Knicks tradition, not just what it means to the city and the league,» Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. «We have the best fans, the best city, the best arena. They respond to the way this team plays. Play hard. Play smart and play together.»
Associated Press contributed to this report.