3 Knicks’ moments we can’t wait for as fans return to MSG

On March 8th, 2020, Knicks’ fans left Madison Square Garden not knowing that it would be the last time they would be allowed in for almost a year. At least their favorite team sent them home happy – defeating the Detroit Pistons, 96-84.

In that game, Julius Randle led the team in scoring with 22 points – but his name still wouldn’t yield a positive reaction if you talked to any of the Knicks’ faithful there that night. Almost a year later, he’s leading the league in apology letters written by fans about him.

Fast forward to Tuesday night, fans will finally be welcomed back into the world’s most famous arena. So much has changed in a year, in the Knicks’ world and the world in general – it’ll be a landmark night on the road to normalcy for everyone.

Normal for the Knicks over the last couple of years have been seasons of mediocrity, embarrassment, and a lot of losing. This year’s team is trying to change that standard.

Perhaps no team in the National Basketball Association deserves to have their fans back, cheering them on more than the Knicks. MSG is a special place when the team is winning – it’s The Mecca for a reason.

An empty stadium has already been the only witness of great moments from this season. Imagine the roar of the crowd when Austin Rivers was draining game-winning threes on the Utah Jazz, or when Immanuel Quickley was swimming after hitting an and-1 on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

While many will still be cheering from their couches, MSG allowing fans to return will only enhance moments like these for the rest of the season. With the Knicks playing some of their best basketball of the decade and firmly entrenched in the playoff hunt, even 10% capacity will feel electrifying.

While there are bound to be plenty of great times over the rest of the season, here are three moments we can’t wait for as fans return to MSG.