Spike Lee Sends Message to New York Knicks Before Game 6 Against Celtics

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By JH Kubicek | Last updated May 16, 2025 12:48 PM ET

The New York Knicks, since the 1970s, have been rather hapless. Despite playing in the largest market in the United States, New York has found very limited success in recent memory, and the face of the franchise isn't even a player.

Spike Lee has had more memorable moments at Madison Square Garden than any player, and the film director is always on the sidelines, making sure he's front and center.

He recently joined Stephen A. Smith on ESPN to discuss a rare subject: the amount of playoff success his team is having.

The Knicks are up 3-2 in the second round against the Boston Celtics, and with Jayson Tatum out with an ACL injury, the Knicks are in a prime position to face the Indiana Pacers in their first Conference Finals appearance since 2000.

New York will host Game 6, and if the series goes the distance, Boston will have both home court and all the momentum in the world for a decisive Game 7.

"I don't want to go back to Boston for Game 7," Lee said. "So let's just end it here tonight."

"I don't want to go back to Boston for Game 7. So let's just end it here tonight."

—Spike Lee to @stephenasmith on Celtics-Knicks Game 6 pic.twitter.com/2T6Mm724Fz
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 16, 2025

Smith then went on a tirade about Dave Checketts and New York falling short in the 1990s to the Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, and San Antonio Spurs during Patrick Ewing's prime.

Knicks fans, despite living in flashy New York City, haven't had much in the way of success to celebrate on the court, and with just one win needed (at home, mind you!) to advance past a bitter--and more successful--rival, fans can taste victory.

Game 6 will tip off at 8:00 PM in New York, with coverage on ESPN.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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