The 2024–2025 New York Knicks stand just one step away from making history. It’s been nearly 25 years since the team last reached the Eastern Conference Finals, and yet the passion of their fanbase hasn’t wavered. If anything, it’s stronger than ever.
On game nights, there’s no better place to be than Madison Square Garden — widely regarded as the most iconic arena in the world. The Garden doesn’t just host basketball games; it brings together a community of fans deeply connected to the team.
“Knicks fans are some of the most knowledgeable in the NBA, if not the most,” said legendary former point guard John Starks. “They love this team. Even after all these years, they still show me so much love. I haven’t played since 1999, but that connection is still there. Watching this young team brings back so many memories.”
John Wallace, another former Knicks standout, echoed the sentiment. “It’s the most passionate fanbase,” Wallace said. “When you combine that with how much they know the game — that’s what makes them true fans. Their support is unmatched.”
To bring fans even closer during this playoff run, the team has hosted watch parties both inside and outside Madison Square Garden. For those who can’t get ticketed seats, these gatherings offer an exciting and affordable way to cheer on the squad.
“Coming back to the Garden is always special,” Wallace shared. “You feel the love, and now, with the team on the edge of something huge, the energy is electrifying. After the last playoff win, thousands of people were outside celebrating. You wear a Knicks jersey, you get a honk, a shout — ‘Let’s Go Knicks!’ The buzz is real. The city’s alive with it.”
Currently, the Knicks lead the Boston Celtics 3-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. It’s a stunning turnaround considering the Knicks were swept by the Celtics during the regular season — and most of those games weren’t close. But this playoff series has been a different story, with New York rallying from two 20-point deficits in Games 1 and 2, and another double-digit gap in Game 4.
“Their heart, their grit … people always seem to count them out, but they just find a way,” said Starks. “That’s what makes this team special. In the playoffs, things won’t always go your way — but they fight. They figure it out.”
And no matter the outcome, fans have remained fiercely loyal — through highs and lows, they’ve stood by the blue and orange.
“It means so much to still be embraced by this fanbase,” Starks said. “Honestly, I appreciate them more than they might appreciate me because they’ve been there through it all. Even in tough seasons, they pack the seats. I understand the pain they’ve been through — but now that the team is back, they’re letting it be known.”
Wallace summed it up simply: “You know the saying — once a Knick, always a Knick.”
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