The New York Knicks have taken the world by storm, amid their 3-1 series lead in the 2026 NBA Finals over the San Antonio Spurs, and especially after the Knicks' epic comeback earlier this week that had many people going nuts over New York's latest thrilling win, including Syracuse basketball rising sophomore guard Kiyan Anthony.
This past Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden in the Big Apple, celebrities galore were on hand as the Knicks erased a 29-point deficit to stun the Spurs, 107-106, with New York's OG Anunoby continuing his NBA Finals heroics.
AJ Dybantsa: "As a Knicks fan how are you feeling right now?"
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 11, 2026
Kiyan Anthony: "THIS MY CITY MAN! I LOVE THE KNICKS! JALEN BRUNSON…WORD UP BRUNSON! I LOVE THIS CITY MAN! YEAAAAH…OMG"pic.twitter.com/tAIDyRlXT1
That result amounted to the largest comeback in NBA Finals history. The 6-foot-5 Anthony, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., whose dad played for the Knicks, was at Wednesday's game, and after it was over, he didn't hold back his excitement, which was so cool to see.
Earlier in the day on Wednesday, Carmelo Anthony, the Hall of Famer, Syracuse basketball legend, former Knicks standout, entrepreneur and NBC Sports studio analyst, had gone on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show and discussed his son's freshman season, New York's playoff run so far this spring and how he's enjoying being a fan.
Melo, of course, was an integral part of the Orange, under the legendary head coach Jim Boeheim, that captured the team's first and only national championship back in 2003. His SU teammate was star guard Gerry McNamara, who is entering his first season as the head coach of the 'Cuse.
Many Syracuse basketball fans are also New York Knicks fanatics.
Understandably, a large portion of the Orange fan base is pulling for the Knicks. Both teams are from the Empire State. Several former Syracuse basketball players, including Carmelo Anthony, John Wallace, Andy Rautins and Louis Orr, competed for the New York Knicks at one time or another in their NBA careers.
The Knicks last won an NBA title in 1973. Prior to the current season, the last time that New York made the NBA Finals was in 1999 (also against the Spurs). To get a sense of how long it's been, Kiyan Anthony wasn't even born until 2007 (I'm old).
Game five of the NBA Finals will take place in San Antonio on Saturday night. If a game six is needed, it will be back at the world's most famous arena next Tuesday evening. It would be awesome for the Knicks to clinch their first NBA championship in 53 years on their home floor, because the Garden would be electric.
Then again, I just want to see New York emerge victorious in this series, whether it's at home or on the road. It's a tremendously delightful feel-good story, and the Anthonys, father and son, would no doubt feel all kinds of happiness. So, too, would I and many other Knicks/'Cuse fanatics.
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