From The Sports Desk: Knicks host first NBA Finals game since 1999

NBAFrom The Sports Desk: Knicks host first NBA Finals game since 1999Madison Square Garden hosts its first NBA Finals game tonight in 27 years. It will be a sight to behold. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00New York Knicks fans cheer during the watch party at Madison Square Garden for Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on June 5, 2026.Angelina Katsanis / Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 8, 2026, 3:01 PM EDTBy Rohan Nadkarni, Andrew Greif and Doha MadaniMadison Square Garden will host an NBA Finals game tonight for the first time in 27 years. Tickets are going for five-figure sums. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani are expected to attend. It’s a consequential game, as well. If the San Antonio Spurs can’t pull out a win, the New York Knicks would be on the brink of a title.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.In today’s newsletter, we preview tonight’s action, catch up with the Stanley Cup Final and continue our World Cup countdown. We’ll have reporters on the scene at MSG today, so check the NBC News website for more coverage. NBA FinalsAs the NBA Finals shift to New York, the Knicks are on a winning streak unlike nearly any we have seen. New York won the first two finals games in San Antonio, extending its playoff win streak to 13 straight, dating to the first round. (The Knicks have famously not lost a game since Karl-Anthony Towns cameoed in “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”)“The Garden is going to be rocking,” New York’s Josh Hart said yesterday. “Obviously, in this city we love our Knicks. So we’re going to come out, show love, support. The energy is going to be electric.”The expensive ticket prices don’t seem to be deterring fans from attending tonight’s game, including the president and the mayor, both of whom have said they are planning to attend. Trump’s decision to go has already had consequences, with the New York Police Dep...