Knicks fans celebrate thrilling win
The Empire State Building is lit up in orange and blue after the Knicks' Game 1 win in the NBA Finals. Credit: Newsday/John Asbury
As the Knicks hit the final shots to clinch their 105-95 Game 1 victory, the crowd at the Madison Square Garden outdoor watch party erupted and the Empire State Building lit up with orange and blue.
Fans outside chanted, “Go New York, Go!” and “Knicks in Four!”
A large crowd from the indoor watch party emptied out of the Garden with NYPD officers standing by. The rowdy but orderly crowd dispersed while celebrating the victory by jumping and cheering outside the Garden.
Wednesday’s watch party at The Spread in Lindenhurst “was the busiest I’ve seen any bar in 20 years of drinking," said James Allen, who arrived several hours early two save two seats at the counter.
"It was six people deep reaching over, there were chants, it was nuts," Allen, 39, of Levittown, said. "I don't think I want to ruin the vibe so I might be back here Friday."
The Spread co-owner Shawn Fenton does not plan on having an outdoor component for Friday's game to give neighbors a rest. But the outdoor screen that drew hundreds Wednesday could return on Monday, the Knicks first home game of the series. He felt "great" after the game not only because of the victory, but because he and his staff "feel it's an accomplishment that we put something on like this."
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