We arrived in New York City on Monday, April 21. Our plan was to see the city and focus on the things that we have not done before in previous trips.
Just so happens that during our stay the New York Knicks were playing their Game 2 of the first playoff round in the Eastern Conference, against the Detroit Pistons and after some consideration (while in a heavy state of jet lag) I decided to shell out money to pay the heavy price tag and got myself a ticket.
As a big basketball fan, I can’t quite put into words how excited I was — but let me try...
It was my first time at this iconic venue, a versatile sanctuary that’s hosted some of the most legendary events of all time — from Muhammad Ali’s epic battle with Joe Frazier in 1971, to Elvis Presley’s sold-out shows in ’72, and the very first WrestleMania in ’85.
But more than anything, Madison Square Garden is known around the world as the “Mecca of Basketball” — home of the New York Knicks.
It’s a team I started following unexpectedly from a young age.
You see, growing up in Portugal — where football (my fellow countrymen and women would never forgive me if I called it “soccer”) was king — it wasn’t exactly easy to get into another sport.
Basketball wasn’t even the second or third option. But I got lucky, as one of my older brothers started getting into the NBA just as the league was beginning to expand its presence in Europe.
Through him, I inherited a bunch of BETA and VHS tapes (you young kids probably need to Google that) where I would spend countless hours watching old reruns of Magic Johnson’s Lakers, Larry Bird’s Celtics, and later on, Michael Jordan’s Bulls. In fact, it was through MJ that the basketball league’s rise in popularity was propelled, and during this time, I started watching actual games as they happened.
But it was only in the late ‘90s / early 2000s that I really began following the league in real-time, and around then, the team that grabbed my attention?
The New York Knicks – with legends like centre Patrick Ewing, sharpshooter Alan Houston, and explosive scorer Latrell Sprewell (who I was lucky enough to meet at one of NBA’s Global Games in Europe).
I’ll never forget watching the 1999-2000 Eastern Conference finals where the Knicks played against Reggie Miller’s Indiana Pacers. I felt so invested in that series and heartbroken when the Pacers won that series to make it through to the NBA finals (where they would lose against Shaq and Kobe’s Lakers).
From that moment on, I felt closer to the Knicks than most teams in the NBA and dreamt of one day watching them play at their home arena.
Even though the Bulls and Lakers were technically my first loves, I always came across as more of a Knicks fan, probably because of all the Knicks gear I had.
One piece that I remember fondly is a Knicks-blue sweater that my Dad brought over from one of his trips to the States, which he gave to my brother. I remember being so jealous of him back then, but years later, when he decided to gift it to me, I was overjoyed.
Fast forward to 2025, and with just a few months to go before turning 40, I still have that same sweater. And more importantly, I still feel just as boyishly overjoyed (if not more) to have finally stepped foot inside MSG to watch some playoff basketball.
As for the game, the Pistons came in with high energy and controlling the game from the first possession, as they needed the win after losing the first matchup. The game looked under control for most of the time until the Knicks picked up in the fourth quarter, with Jalen Brunson leading the charge - finishing with 37 points and 7 assists. But unfortunately, his efforts felt short after tying the game at 94-94 in the last two minutes, but Dennis Schröder nailed a three-pointer and a free throw, giving the W to the visiting team, who were led to their first playoff win in 17 years by star point guard Cade Cunningham with 33 points and 12 rebounds.
A disappointing evening for the home fans, who, as always, included a star-studded lineup of people in attendance.
From acting stars like Timothée Chalamet, Michael J Fox, Ben Stiller and Paul Rudd, to Tennis legend John McEnroe, hip-hop singers 50 Cent and Fat Joe, and, of course, former Knicks legends Pat Ewing, Carmelo Anthony and John Starks.
As much as the Pistons came in as the underdogs for many, let’s not forget that the Pistons have looked good this season after an incredible bounce-back season. Led by Cunningham, they went from a league-worst 14–68 record last year to a 44–38 finish, clinching their first playoff spot since 2019 as the 6th seed in the East.
The Knicks, on the other hand, despite being disappointed with the outcome, have shown streaks of quality basketball this season, locking in the 3rd seed with a 51–31 record, led by the dynamic duo of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
For those of you who follow the NBA, when it comes to the playoffs, teams tend to crank up the volume.
Every arena in the country turns up the volume. Fans go all in, and the energy becomes electric.
Around every arena in the country, you can expect fans to be pumped up and the atmosphere to be electrifying… One of the wonderful things I find in sports is that, as much as people are separated by team rivalry, they are also united by the love of their game. That’s a sight to behold, especially in a country that is so divided on the political spectrum. Whether you are a die-hard fan, a media pundit or a neutral observer, the love for the game of basketball brings everyone together in one place.
And Knicks fans? They are as good as they come. Loud, passionate and loyal. I got a real taste of that on Monday.
No matter what expectations they carry into the season, when it’s tip-off time, their hearts are set only on success. Anything short of that is unforgivable.
Seems quite harsh, especially when you consider that the team hasn’t made it to the finals in 26 years (last time was in 1999 against the Spurs), let alone win a championship ring (1973).
The days of Walt Frazier and Earl “The Pearl” Monroe are long gone — though shoutout to Spike Lee’s He Got Game for keeping the legend alive through Ray Allen’s character, Jesus Shuttlesworth.
Still, ask any New Yorker, and they’ll tell you: The Knicks are always contenders. Because in the playoffs, anything can happen!
Which is why it felt so special for me, as an outsider, to experience an expression of passion that went beyond the game of basketball. It’s about standing tall for your team and city and hoping that, maybe, just maybe, the ultimate glory can return to MSG, the mecca of basketball.
I don’t know, though — maybe it’s the outsider in me, but I’m not entirely convinced this will be their year, especially with the level of competition out there on the West. But I wouldn’t dare say that out loud to a Knicks fan. Especially not if Spike Lee is around the corner from me!
