NYC streets renamed for Knicks players to celebrate playoff run
For the duration of the Knicks' playoff run, streets across Manhattan are being co-named for current players. Just below the regular West 32nd St. sign was another in Knicks colors that read "Karl-Anthony Towns Square." Credit: Newsday/Neil Best
Knicks fans took over Manhattan streets on Friday night to celebrate the team’s victory over the Celtics that clinched a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals.
On Wednesday, the Knicks themselves took over some streets — literally.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that for the duration of the team’s playoff run, streets across Manhattan would be co-named for current players.
That included a sign outside Madison Square Garden before Game 1 against the Pacers at the corner of Seventh Avenue and 32nd Street.
Just below the regular West 32nd St sign was another in Knicks colors that read, “Karl-Anthony Towns Square.”
How did KAT score such a prime location? Because players were assigned streets based on their uniform numbers.
Hence “Jalen Brunson Boulevard” at Seventh Avenue and West 11th Street and "Josh Hart Street" at Sixth Avenue and West 3rd Street.
The signs were unveiled on Wednesday. The mayor’s office said they were hung in partnership with Madison Square Garden Sports and the Knicks.
“They embody the spirit of New York — resilient, passionate, and unstoppable,” Adams said in a news release. “On the path to a championship, we recognize the hard work and determination that has gotten this team to the Eastern Conference Finals and we’re celebrating this team by temporarily co-naming our city streets so all New Yorkers can celebrate their Knicks pride.”
Department of Transportation commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez added, “The entire city has your back as the Eastern Conference Finals are underway, and we are proud to rep the blue and orange, including on our street signs. Go Knicks!”
"OG Anunoby Alley" is at Sixth Avenue and West 8th Street. "Mikal Bridges Block" is at Seventh Avenue and West 25th Street. In all, 15 Knicks were honored with signs.
“This has been an incredible time for the Knicks, our fans, and for all of New York City,” MSG Sports COO Jamaal Lesane said in a news release. “We thank Mayor Adams and Commissioner Rodriguez for this recognition.
“As the playoffs continue, the Knicks will continue to look for opportunities to spread excitement and bring people together through their shared passion for the team.”
Delon Wright, who wears No. 0, was assigned Sixth Avenue and Houston Street. He said before the game he was unaware the city was matching uniform numbers to streets but was happy with whatever he got.
“Just to have that up there is dope,” he said. “I hope they let us have the street sign (as a souvenir).”
When someone suggested the signs might be attractive targets for thieves, Wright said, “I don’t know if they’re going to take mine. They’ll probably Jalen’s.”
Initially, Wright thought the entire thing might be an internet hoax.
“Everybody’s been texting me about it and telling me how dope it was,” he said, “I wasn’t sure if it was real.”
Ariel Hukporti (Seventh Avenue and West 55th Street) had a similar reaction. In fact, he did not realize the signs were legitimate until informed by reporters before the game.
“So that sign is real? It’s real?” he said. “Like, it’s really hanging there?”
When someone posed the notion of someone stealing Brunson’s sign, Hukporti jokingly said, “It’s gone. I would take it, too.”
With Steve Popper
STREET CRED
The full list of streets co-named after Knicks:
Precious Achiuwa Place — 6th Avenue and West Washington Place
OG Anunoby Alley — 6th Avenue and West 8th Street
Mikal Bridges Block — 7th Avenue and West 25th Street
Jalen Brunson Boulevard — 7th Avenue and West 11th Street
Pacome Dadiet Drive — 6th Avenue and West 4th Street
Josh Hart Street — 6th Avenue and West 3rd Street
Ariel Hukporti Street — 7th Avenue and West 55th Street
Tyler Kolek Lane — 7th Avenue and West 13th Street
Miles McBride Street — 6th Avenue and Minetta Lane
Cam Payne Place — 6th Avenue and Bleecker Street
Mitchell Robinson Road — 7th Avenue and West 23rd Street
Landry Shamet Circle — 7th Avenue and West 44th Street
Karl-Anthony Towns Square — 7th Avenue and West 32nd Street
P.J. Tucker Terrace — 7th Avenue and West 17th Street
Delon Wright Circle — 6th Avenue and Houston Street
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
