The Knicks pulled off a stunning comeback, bringing this perennial underdog franchise to the brink of their first NBA championship in 53 years, and the entire city has been swept up in Knicks fever. The Telegraph noted that this basketball fervor is proof enough that nobody in Manhattan cares about the FIFA World Cup.

Wednesday night, Manhattan and the four other boroughs of New York were gripped by euphoria over a historic sporting moment entirely unrelated to FIFA or the upcoming World Cup final.

The New York Knicks delivered one of the most remarkable comebacks in NBA Finals history, overcoming a 29-point deficit to hit the game-winning shot with just one second remaining. Madison Square Garden was packed with A-list celebrities, and thousands of fans gathered outside the arena, celebrating wildly and clashing with police multiple times in their fervour.

Times Square and Penn Station, directly below the arena, are plastered with World Cup advertising. The World Cup kicks off tonight, yet at this moment, New York City has eyes for only one sport and one team.

The scene echoed celebrations in North London last month when Arsenal clinched their first Premier League title in 22 years—except the Knicks have waited far longer for their championship. Their last title came 53 years ago, when Nixon was in the White House and American troops were still deeply entrenched in Vietnam.

The fan loyalty the Knicks have built in America's largest city rivals Arsenal's, though their decades-long championship drought and unfulfilled ambitions draw comparisons more to Tottenham Hotspur.

The final score was 107-106, with the Knicks leading the best-of-seven series 3-1. If they win Game 5 Saturday night in Texas—scheduled for Sunday morning UK time—they'll clinch the title. By contrast, the USA's World Cup opener against Paraguay on Saturday at 2 a.m. UK time in Los Angeles has generated far less excitement.

Few teams can draw a guest list as star-studded as the Knicks, and many celebrities have been devoted fans since before they were famous. Wednesday night, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star Larry David sat next to seven-time Grand Slam tennis champion John McEnroe, while actor Timothée Chalamet arrived with girlfriend Kylie Jenner and cheered loudly toward the broadcast cameras after the dramatic final basket. Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld, and Jimmy Fallon all attended.

Taylor Swift also appeared wearing a shirt emblazoned with "Stevie Nicks," though questions persist about whether she's a genuine Knicks fan. Former President Trump attended Game 1 of the Finals, endured persistent boos, and was reportedly asleep by halftime—though the New Yorker has long been a devoted Knicks supporter.

The Knicks star who made Wednesday's game-winning layup is OG Anunoby, born in Willesden, Northwest London, near where Raheem Sterling grew up. The 28-year-old considers himself British and emigrated to Missouri at age four with his late father Aghugwa before becoming an exceptional high school and college basketball prospect.

Anunoby is an Arsenal fan and an investor in the London Lions basketball team. He frequently speaks with a British accent and actively supports the development of basketball in Britain. His brother Chigbo played in the NFL.

Anunoby isn't the only team member with British connections. Scotland international and key World Cup player John McGinn has deep family ties to the organization. Scott, cousin of Aston Villa captain, is vice president of the company that operates Madison Square Garden, the Knicks' home arena in downtown Manhattan.

Seventh and Eighth Avenues outside the arena were controlled by police as excited fans filled the streets. Social media circulated footage of Knicks fans attacking someone wearing a Spurs jersey, with multiple physical altercations between fans and police reported at the scene.

Overall, the celebrations remained relatively restrained. Bars showing the game were packed with fans in the team's blue and orange, crowds gathered around outdoor screens, and passersby watched the dramatic contest through shop windows.

Even in this sprawling global metropolis, the entire city has united around a single thought. Josh, a 24-year-old from Brooklyn, said many New Yorkers thought they'd never see the Knicks win again. "Once we win, the whole city will explode. It'll be a historic moment to tell our kids about, and I hope we don't have to wait this long for the next championship."

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi revealed that the entire England squad watched the game from their West Palm Beach hotel, with many players avid NBA enthusiasts. Thomas Tuchel, known for his basketball skills in his youth, stands 1.91 meters tall.

Videos of USA World Cup team players reacting excitedly to the Knicks' winning shot have circulated widely on social media.

Conversely, Knicks players are unlikely to pay much attention to the US team's World Cup opener against Paraguay. The Spurs, led by Wembanyama, suffered a defeat, but the series remains unresolved with Game 5 still to come.

In New York, until this basketball saga reaches its conclusion, the World Cup will have to wait in the wings.

AI 번역.