The Knicks have pulled off an epic upset, and with one step left toward their first NBA championship in 53 years, the entire city has caught Knicks fever. The Telegraph highlights how this basketball craze is proof enough that no one in Manhattan cares about the FIFA World Cup.

Wednesday night, Manhattan and the four other boroughs of New York were swept up in the carnival brought by a historic sporting event—one completely unrelated to FIFA or the upcoming World Cup final.

The New York Knicks have engineered the most stunning comeback in NBA Finals history, erasing a 29-point deficit and hitting the game-winning shot with just 1 second remaining. Scores of celebrity fans packed the courtside seats; outside Madison Square Garden, thousands of fans celebrated the victory, the atmosphere electric, with scattered clashes between fans and police.

FIFA World Cup promotional banners are everywhere across Times Square and Penn Station, directly below the arena. The World Cup kicks off tonight, yet the conversation across all of New York focuses on one sport, one team.

The scene echoes the celebrations that flooded the streets of North London last month after Arsenal won the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years—except the Knicks' championship drought stretches far longer. Their last title came 53 years ago, when Nixon occupied the White House and U.S. forces remained mired in the Vietnam War.

The fan loyalty the Knicks command in America's biggest city rivals that of Arsenal; but measured by championship success and the tragic undertone of perpetually unrealized ambitions, they resemble Tottenham Hotspur far more.

Wednesday's final score: 107-106. The Knicks lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. If they win Game 5 Saturday night in Texas, they clinch the championship; that game begins Sunday morning UK time. By contrast, the U.S. men's team plays their first World Cup group match against Paraguay in Los Angeles at 2 a.m. UK time Saturday. There's no comparison in excitement.

No team boasts a star-studded courtside guest list like the Knicks, with countless celebrities becoming die-hard fans before they became famous. Wednesday night, Larry David of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" sat alongside seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe; actor Timothée Chalamet arrived with girlfriend Kylie Jenner, and after the dramatic game-winner, he cheered loudly toward the broadcast camera. Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld, and Jimmy Fallon all attended the game.

Taylor Swift also appeared with her entourage, wearing a "Stevie Nicks" shirt, though outsiders perpetually question whether she's a genuine Knicks fan. Former President Trump attended Game 1 of the finals, where he was booed throughout and reportedly fell asleep during the match; the native New Yorker is a longtime Knicks supporter.

Knicks star OG Anunoby, born in Harlesden, Northwest London—near where Raheem Sterling grew up—hit the game-winning layup Wednesday. The 28-year-old identifies as English and moved to Missouri at age four with his late father, Ogugua, a scholar. He became a phenomenal high school and college basketball player.

Anunoby is an Arsenal fan and an investor in the London Lions basketball team. He often speaks with an English accent and actively contributes to developing English basketball. His brother, Chigbo, played in the NFL.

Anunoby isn't the only Knicks player with English ties. Scotland international John McGinn, a key player for the World Cup squad, has deep family connections to the team. Scott, cousin of Aston Villa captain Tyrone Mings, serves as vice president of the company operating Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks are based in downtown Manhattan.

Seventh and Eighth Avenues outside the arena were closed by police as fans celebrated with fervor. Social media videos show Knicks fans attacking a pedestrian wearing a Spurs jersey, and there were several physical altercations with police.

Overall, the celebratory atmosphere remained relatively restrained. Bars broadcasting the game were packed with fans in blue and orange; crowds gathered around large screens on the streets, and pedestrians watched the epic finish through shop windows.

Even in this all-encompassing global metropolis, the entire city was of one mind, focused on one thing. Josh, a 24-year-old from Brooklyn, said many New Yorkers had resigned themselves to never witnessing a Knicks championship again. "Once they win, the whole city will explode. It'll be a historic moment to tell our kids about, and hopefully the next championship doesn't take another 53 years."

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi revealed that the entire England team watched the game at their hotel in West Palm Beach, with many players being NBA fans. It's reported that manager Thomas Tuchel is skilled at basketball, standing 1.91 meters tall in his youth.

A viral video shows U.S. World Cup players' reactions to the game-winning shot spreading across social media.

Unlike the U.S. team's World Cup match against Paraguay, the Knicks players likely won't be paying much attention. The Spurs, led by Wembanyama, suffered a comeback defeat, but the series remains undecided until Game 5.

In New York, the World Cup will have to wait. All eyes remain on how this basketball epic concludes.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.