Since the Knicks won the Eastern Conference finals on May 25, New York City transformed into one big fan zone. After enduring decades of heartbreaking defeats, dysfunctional ownership, and bad luck, the city had real hope that a championship title was on the horizon at last. The dream came true on June 13, with a 94-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
To support the team, everyone (and it really did feel like everyone) turned out with their orange and blue. And with each gripping win, team spirit grew even stronger and more expressive across the city—massive public watch parties, a booming economy of bootleg merch, and artists painting homages to the team on daring locations. Even city agencies and officials got in on the fun. During the championship run, New York was the Knicks.
Sanitation trucks have long swept away confetti from today’s ticker tape parade, and people are sure to return to their usual routines. Before this moment is scrubbed clean from the city, however, we rounded up the best Knicksmania takeovers from this generational run.
New colors for the subway
Just steps from the Knicks’ home at Madison Square Garden, an entrance to the 34th Street–Penn Station subway received the Knicks treatment on June 1. The MTA painted the railings and light posts blue and orange and stenciled a basketball pattern onto the lamps. (One fan even hitched a pair of Timbs to the poles.) It instantly became a viral hot spot for fan photos.
To immortalize the win, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the entrance will remain Knicks-ified at least through the next NBA season. And for those who wish to bring the basketball and transit crossover into their homes, the New York Transit Museum is selling miniature versions of the fan-favorite spot.
A revived skyline
One of the city’s most emblematic features is its distinct skyline—which, of course, had to join in on the excitement. From the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center to even the new JPMorgan headquarters in midtown, skyscrapers throughout Manhattan tapped into the fan fever by turning their lights orange and blue.
On Friday night after the parade, the Empire State Building is taking it even further, not only lighting up in the team’s colors but also projecting its logo onto the mast.
DSNY collabs
In addition to the Knicks players, the other heroes of the season have been the city’s sanitation workers, cleaning up the streets after massive celebrations. But just because they are on duty, it doesn’t mean they aren’t fans. The city’s Department of Sanitation has made Knicks hats uniform-compliant, and workers will be able to sport Knicks ball caps while on duty for a week after the win.
And for non-DSNY workers, the department is still chipping in for the celebration, creating special trash cans for the occasion. In a partnership with the streetwear brand Only NY, a series of orange-and-blue street litter bins will be rolled out around the city—and fans already believe they will be a hit.
“If these ain’t chained up, I guarantee they get stolen. lmao,” a user said on social media. Another added: “Like how am I supposed to carry this on the subway?”
Orange and blue snacks galore
In a city famous for its culinary scene, Knicks-inspired food was bound to pop up this season. Orange-and-blue Knicks-inspired bagels have been spotted throughout social media, and even in the Fast Company office, bringing together two NYC traditions: bagels and sports.
The bagels also pay homage to a chant that took over the city during the championship series: “My mayor Muslim, my bagel’s Jewish, my Christian Dior, Knicks in four.” (It ended up taking five.)
Another reimagined NYC staple was the black and white cookie, which has turned orange and blue in institutions like Russ & Daughters.
But others took a less traditional approach, like one restaurant in Williamsburg, Patrizia’s, which developed a dish called “Jalen Brunson rigatoni.” The new menu item features an orange sauce paired with blue pasta.
And while not from New York, Dunkin’ has also joined in. The doughnut and coffee chain temporarily updated its signage at select city locations by adding a blue “D” to its classic orange and pink double-D logo. It’s also offered Knicks-themed doughnuts across the city.
Early voters get a surprise sticker
The celebration coincides with another important time for the city: early voting for the primary election. Those heading to the polls on June 18 might score a limited-edition voting sticker.
The Knicks-themed sticker, designed to look like a blue and orange basketball, will be handed out to the first 300 early voters at each polling station throughout the five boroughs, giving constituents an extra incentive to head out and vote. A win for the Knicks is a win for New York.
