New Yorkers have waited 53 years to see their team win the NBA championship
"We care way more about the Knicks than the World Cup right now."
New York is witnessing a moment of sports history - and it has nothing to do with football.
On Saturday night the New York Knicks clinched their first NBA championship in 53 years with a 4-1 series win over the San Antonio Spurs,. the long-awaited victory sent fans into a frenzy.
Fewer than 10 miles away, Brazil faced Morocco in the sixth game of the football World Cup,. it was at Madison Square Garden where scenes were electric.
Thousands of fans gathered - around the home of the Knicks that is often referred to as 'the mecca of basketball' - for an outdoor watch party. despite the game being played in Texas.
Nearby bars were overflowing with anxious New Yorkers who hung on every shot. call during the incredibly close game five in the best-of-seven series.
It is an interesting position for a city in the middle of co-hosting the World Cup.
"People live and shed tears here for basketball," Knicks fan Raymond Yu told the BBC.
"We care way more about the Knicks than the World Cup right now."
While Americans were never considered the biggest football fans in the world. New York in particular - with its diverse communities - always had a stronger tie to the game. But the Knicks' win has overshadowed the World Cup for now.
At the Molly Wee Pub. when a win seemed likely a young college student remarked to his friends: "Oh my god, I'm going to see the Knicks win the Finals. I can't believe it."
Once it was official, he. everyone else in the bar rushed into the streets screaming at the top of their lungs and embracing complete strangers.
The celebrations swelled. lasted well into the early hours of the morning, with people climbing light poles and setting off fireworks, while police on foot and even horseback tried to make sure the chaos was controlled.
Among them was Matthew Sorbonne, who told BBC Sport what the win meant to him.
"I watched them since I was a kid. This means everything to me. For 25 straight years they've been garbage. Finally we have a win," he said.
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This victory, for a fanbase used to disappointment and heartbreak, is a dream come true.
New York's mayor Zohran Mamdani very quickly announced. a ticker tape parade down the canyon of heroes would be held on Thursday for the Knicks. City Hall. municipal buildings across the city will also be illuminated in blue and orange on that day to celebrate the victory.
Mamdani said: "New Yorkers have cheered for our team from packed living rooms in the Bronx to watch parties in Brooklyn, from bars in Queens to Staten Island to Manhattan,. Madison Square Garden itself. Now it's time for our city to celebrate together. Bing bong."
That. along with the Knicks players' return from San Antonio, will preoccupy this city with basketball for a few more days.
Even those wearing football jerseys on the streets of Manhattan admitted the World Cup could never match this excitement in the US.
Wearing a Lionel Messi jersey. Jeff, who did not give his surname, said that, while he liked the Argentina legend, the Knicks were more important at the moment than the World Cup. "Messi has a championship. I want the Knicks to get one," he said.
New Yorkers have also been waiting longer for a Knicks win than the opportunity to host another World Cup. which was last hosted by the US in 1994.
But with the city riding on good vibes from the Knicks, that could easily spill into upcoming World Cup matches.
In fact. the end of the series means avoiding a nightmare scenario where game six of the NBA Finals would have clashed with the France-Senegal game in the city on Tuesday.
One fan said he would try to watch some World Cup matches, given he has enjoyed seeing fans from other countries in New York showing their pride. seeing their love of the sport.
Those international fans probably did not realise they would also get to experience New York's true passion.
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