Russell Wilson Among Giants Cheering on Knicks

The size of the New York market demands that it be split. The New York Mets and New York Yankees continue to jostle for bragging rights. The New York Giants and New York Jets work together to ensure their football fans remain humble. The New York Rangers have the New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils to chip away at their standing.

But New York will always be a Knicks town, no matter where the Brooklyn Nets play. Their recent playoff success has driven that point home.

The Giants joined fans in celebrating the Knicks’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals, with some of its biggest (and newest) stars getting in on the fun.

“Brian Burns, Russell Wilson and Michael Strahan headlined a strong Giants contingent at the Knicks game last night,” Jordan Raanan tweeted. “Kayvon Thibodeaux, Jevon Holland and Prince Amukamara among those also in the building.”

New York beat the Boston Celtics 119-81 on Friday to win the Eastern Conference Semifinals in six games. The Knicks entered the series as massive underdogs, listed as 9-to-1 odds to advance past the most talented team in the East.

And yet, after two miracle, 20-point comebacks, New York shocked Boston to jump out to a 2-0 series lead. Things got ugly in Game 3, but the Knicks pulled away from the Celtics in Game 4. After the game was in hand, Boston forward Jayson Tatum – the best player on the title contender – tore his Achilles, further shifting the odds in New York’s favor.

Boston responded in Game 5, blowing the Knicks out of the water in front of the New England faithful. In Game 6, those odds of a comeback were vanquished. In New York’s best defensive performance of the season, point guard Jalen Brunson, center Mitchell Robinson, and the “Nova Knicks” advanced to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years.

For the Giants, just getting used to the Big Apple, the Knicks have become quite the draw. Edge rusher Abdul Carter spoke about that development earlier in the series.

“Yeah, I got to catch the game,” Carter told reporters at rookie camp. “I want some floor seats just to see it up close. Just being up 2-0 right now versus the Celtics, the champions, I feel like they are on a really good run. I'm starting to become a fan.”

With a revamped defense and Wilson under center, the Giants will hope to shock the world like their hardwood counterparts.