It was a week ago when the New York Knicks beat the Cavaliers at the Garden for the second straight time in three days. A Sunday afternoon playoff game might not have been what fans preferred but that didn’t matter. The Garden was as electric as it was two days before on Friday night.
Hours after New York secured a series win over Cleveland on Wednesday, Miami got a series win of its own against Milwaukee. More importantly, the Heat advancing meant that the Knicks would have homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. It also meant that Game 1 would be on Sunday afternoon at MSG.
The talk leading up to Game 1 of Knicks-Heat was centered around the rivalry that the two teams had in the 90s, so you know that Patrick Ewing had to witness it for himself. To the delight of Knicks fans at MSG who gave Ewing a standing ovation, the 60-year-old legend is back at the Garden.
A legend returns 🗽 pic.twitter.com/iwAKSMQoI5
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 30, 2023
Legend Patrick Ewing in attendance for Knicks-Heat Game 1 playoffs
Last month, Georgetown parted ways with Patrick Ewing after he had spent six seasons at the helm for his alma mater. He’s been at the Garden many times over the past several years with the Hoyas, but now, he’s getting to enjoy watching his Knicks go up against the Heat.
It’s been 10 years since New York played a second-round playoff game at MSG and before that, it was Patrick Ewing and the 1999-2000 Knicks that was the last team to make it to the semifinals. That was Ewing’s last season in New York as he spent his final two seasons in the league in Seattle (2000-01) and Orlando (2001-02).
Ewing isn’t the only Knicks legend in attendance, as John Starks is in the building, too. Starks is a regular face at the Garden, so even though it’s always nice to see him, seeing Ewing back at MSG is extra special.
Hey, Thibs, if you need two extra guys to sub in, Ewing and Starks are available!
5 Biggest Knicks questions ahead of rivalry rematch against Heat
The New York Knicks beat the Cavaliers in the first round of the NBA playoffs and will now face the Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.