San Antonio’s familiar rallying cry, “Remember the Alamo,” was briefly overshadowed Saturday by a very different chant: “Knicks in five!” Thousands of New York fans poured into central Texas ahead of the pivotal NBA Finals game at Frost Bank Center, turning the road atmosphere into something that felt unusually close to home for the visitors.
Back in New York, the excitement was just as intense. Fans hoping to see the Knicks capture their first NBA title since 1973 filled bars, restaurants and organized watch parties across the city, creating a playoff buzz that stretched well beyond Madison Square Garden.
Even on a Saturday, when the city’s usual rush-hour crush tends to ease, transit hubs were packed. Knicks supporters mixed with World Cup tourists as trains, subways and highways swelled with traffic before both the Finals showdown and the Group C match between Brazil and Morocco.
“Never seen Penn Station this packed???” one woman wrote on X, sharing video of crowded escalators leading up from beneath Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks again staged official watch parties outside the Garden, though only 3,000 ticketed fans were allowed inside the NYPD’s designated “frozen zone” surrounding the arena. At the same time, Radio City Music Hall opened its doors for fans to watch the game on large screens, charging $10 per ticket. Proceeds were slated to benefit MSG’s Garden of Dreams Foundation.
On the court, the pressure was squarely on San Antonio. After surrendering a 29-point lead in a stunning Game 4 collapse at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, the Spurs and star Victor Wembanyama entered Game 5 with their season on the line.
But New York’s celebrity fans didn’t seem too bothered by the slow start, particularly after a series of comeback wins over the first four games. Knicks fan Timothée Chalamet was seen standing and applauding in his first row seat, albeit with his influencer girlfriend Kylie Jenner. Actress Sydney Sweeney was also spotted in Knicks gear, as were the usual attendees, such as director Spike Lee, comedian Tracy Morgan, and director/comedian Ben Stiller.
Victor Wembanyama is seen at the free throw line with Jalen Brunson standing behind him
Devin Vassell dribbles against Jalen Brunson during the first quarter on Saturday
Knicks fan Timothée Chalamet was among the New Yorkers in San Antonio on Saturday
Sydney Sweeney watches Game 5 of the NBA Finals with the Knicks leading the series 3-1
New York Knicks fans attend a watch party in Central Park for Game 5 of the NBA Finals
Brooklynites pack local streets to watch their Knicks months after the Nets’ season ended
New York did come storming back in the second quarter to pull within 42-37 by halftime.
Jalen Brunson was particularly strong for the Knicks over the first half, scoring 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including three made 3-pointers.
Dylan Harper led San Antonio with 11 points off the bench in the first half, while Wembanyama added nine points, nine boards and a whopping five blocks.
And largely because of the 7ft 5in Wembanyama’s defensive presence, New York managed just six points in the paint over the first 24 minutes of play. In fact, the Knicks shot just 30 percent from the field in the first half, although that was only marginally better than the 34-percent clip put forth by the Spurs.
Saturday marked the lowest-scoring first half in NBA Finals history since the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers tangled in 2010.
Ben Stiller was back in San Antonio for Game 5 after visiting the home of the Alamo last week
One Knicks fan (right) raises a joint and a drink outside Madison Square Garden on Saturday
Knicks fans begin gathering outside Madison Square Garden before Game 5 of the Finals
Fans gather in Brooklyn to watch the NBA Finals with the Knicks eyeing their third ever title
New Yorkers pack together to watch Game 5 on Saturday night in Brooklyn
Native New Yorker Jose Alvarado is seen playing for the Knicks in the first half of Game 5
Wembanyama was once again seen with his arms folded during the national anthem before Game 5.
The Spurs star had drawn criticism for his posture during The Star-Spangled Banner in before Games 1 and 2. Later, the 22-year-old Frenchman was conspicuously absent for the song before Games 3 and 4 in New York.
And as has been the case throughout the series, Wembanyama faced online criticism for the perceived slight.
‘He’s trying to prove a point that he’s bigger than the National Anthem,’ one angry fan wrote on X.
‘WTF,’ a second critic wrote. ‘Victor Wembanyama again standing with his arms crossed during the National Anthem!!’
‘It’s extremely disrespectful,’ another added. ‘You’re fortunate to enjoy the fruits of Capitalism in America, the greatest country in the world. Show some gratitude, or Leave!’
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was once again seen with his arms folded during the national anthem before Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday in San Antonio
The NBA does require all teams to stand in a dignified posture for the national anthem before every game. But like other rules, such as coaching dress codes, the league has taken a more passive approach to enforcement in recent years
Whereas Denver’s Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was suspended one game for refusing to stand for the anthem in 1996, the NBA allowed its players to kneel in protest of racist police brutality after George Floyd’s murder in 2020.
The Daily Mail previously sought comment from the NBA on Wembanyama’s presence during the anthem and any potential penalty he could face.
On Saturday, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson dismissed the controversy, saying players are often off the court during the anthem.
‘I think there’s plenty of players not on the floor during the anthem, I don’t know if that’s habit, superstition, bathroom… I don’t foresee anyone looking into it at all.’
