Knicks Eye First Championship in 53 Years as Fans Descend on San Antonio
San Antonio’s iconic ‘Remember the Alamo’ slogan was momentarily overshadowed by fervent chants of ‘Knicks in five!’ as a significant number of New Yorkers descended upon the Frost Bank Center for Saturday’s crucial NBA Finals matchup. Following a dramatic 29-point lead collapse in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, the San Antonio Spurs and their star player, Victor Wembanyama, found themselves facing elimination in Game 5.
Spurs Start Strong, Knicks Struggle Early
The Spurs secured an early advantage, concluding the first quarter with a 23-13 lead. Spurs point guard De’Aaron Fox, who faced scrutiny for late-game errors in the previous outing, experienced a challenging start to Game 5, missing four of his initial five shots and committing a turnover. Despite this, teammate Julian Champagnie contributed with two successful three-pointers, and Wembanyama secured seven rebounds in the opening period. The New York Knicks, meanwhile, struggled offensively, converting only 4 of 25 field-goal attempts in the first 12 minutes of play.
Celebrity Sightings and City-Wide Buzz
New York’s celebrity contingent in attendance appeared unfazed by the slow start, perhaps buoyed by the team’s history of comeback victories throughout the series. Actor Timothée Chalamet, accompanied by his influencer girlfriend Kylie Jenner, was observed standing and applauding from his courtside seat. Actress Sydney Sweeney was also spotted in Knicks attire, alongside regular attendees like director Spike Lee. Back in New York City, a palpable excitement filled bars and public viewing parties as residents hoped to witness the team’s first championship since 1973.
New York City Mobilized for Game 5
Saturday typically sees a more relaxed pace in New York, but the city’s transit systems, including trains, subways, and highways, were unusually congested. This surge was attributed to a confluence of Knicks fans heading to watch parties and World Cup tourists. One social media user on X documented the extraordinary crowds at Penn Station, noting, “Never seen Penn Station this packed???” Earlier in the day, trains were filled with enthusiastic soccer fans adorned in Moroccan red and Brazilian yellow. The elevated cost of round-trip tickets from midtown to MetLife Stadium for the World Cup also drew attention. However, the primary focus for most New Yorkers on Saturday remained the NBA Finals.
Official Watch Parties and Public Viewing
While the Knicks hosted official watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, access within the NYPD’s designated ‘frozen zone’ around the arena was limited to 3,000 ticketed fans. For those without tickets, viewing parties at Radio City allowed attendees to watch the game on large screen televisions for a $10 admission fee, with proceeds designated for MSG’s Garden of Dreams foundation.
Wembanyama’s National Anthem Stance Draws Scrutiny
Victor Wembanyama was again observed with his arms folded during the national anthem prior to Game 5. The Spurs star had previously drawn criticism for his posture during ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ in Games 1 and 2. In Games 3 and 4 in New York, he was notably absent for the song. This recurring stance has led to considerable online criticism, with one commenter on X asserting, “He’s trying to prove a point that he’s bigger than the National Anthem.” Another critic wrote, “WTF. Victor Wembanyama again standing with his arms crossed during the National Anthem!!” A third commenter expressed, “It’s extremely disrespectful. You’re fortunate to enjoy the fruits of Capitalism in America, the greatest country in the world. Show some gratitude, or Leave!”
NBA’s Stance on Anthem Protocol
The NBA’s official policy requires all team personnel to stand in a dignified manner during the national anthem. However, similar to other league regulations, the enforcement of such rules has become more lenient in recent years. This contrasts with past instances, such as Denver’s Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf’s one-game suspension in 1996 for refusing to stand for the anthem. In 2020, the league permitted players to kneel in protest against racial injustice and police brutality following the murder of George Floyd.
Spurs Coach Downplays Anthem Controversy
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson addressed the ongoing discussion surrounding Wembanyama’s actions, stating that players often have reasons for not being on the court during the anthem. “I think there’s plenty of players not on the floor during the anthem, I don’t know if that’s habit, superstition, bathroom… I don’t foresee anyone looking into it at all,” Johnson commented, dismissing the controversy.
