The crew takes a live look into the Knicks practicing during Media Day before the Finals Game 3.
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When teams arrive at Madison Square Garden, they are met with an entrance ramp unlike that of any other arena in the league — a hike the equivalent of five stories, roughly 150 paces, to reach the event level of the “World’s Most Famous Arena.”
For a building known by many as “The Mecca,” that climb is essentially a rite of passage to showcase one’s talents on these hallowed grounds. Walking through the halls, visitors see walls adorned with images of great performers and teams that have made their mark at MSG, their greatness echoing throughout the cavernous arena.
Since the current building opened in 1968, The Garden has hosted countless superstars from the worlds of sports, entertainment, and culture — from an injured Willis Reed emerging from the tunnel in Game 7 of the 1970 Finals to lead the Knicks to their first NBA title, to the “Fight of the Century” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1971, Elvis Presley’s famous four-show run in 1972, the Knicks’ last title run in 1973, the Rangers’ last Stanley Cup Championship in 1994, Michael Jordan’s “Double Nickel” in 1995, “The Concert for New York City” after the events of 9/11 in 2001, Kobe Bryant’s 61-point masterpiece in 2009, Billy Joel’s franchise residency in 2014, and many more.
“Landing the plane looking at the New York skyline. The drive into Madison Square Garden. Everything about it there’s just a vibe of honor and history,” said Stephen Curry – who had a 54-point performance at MSG in 2013 – on the NBC broadcast during a Warriors’ visit on March 15. “You’ve watched games in this building your whole life … It just brings something kind of special out of you.”
“It’s always special,” said LeBron James – who is 24-10 all-time at MSG with a pair of 50-point games – after a Cavaliers win over the Knicks in 2016.
“This is the Mecca of basketball. So many great performers have been here, even besides basketball. And for me to be able to showcase my talent on this floor is always fun.”
On Monday night, the biggest stage in basketball meets the bright lights of New York City as Madison Square Garden hosts its first NBA Finals game since June 25, 1999. Game 3 tips tonight 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC & ESPN.
It’s been nearly 10,000 days (9,845 to be exact) since Finals basketball has been played at The Garden, and the city is bursting at the seams with Knicks fever. There are watch parties in every neighborhood of every borough, with strangers from all walks of life coming together to cheer on the home team.
“The Garden’s going to be rocking,” said Josh Hart on Sunday. “Obviously, in this city we love our Knicks, so they’re going to come out, support, and the atmosphere’s going to be electric.”
shoutout to the Knicks fam 🧡💙 pic.twitter.com/I0WTeUYJu5
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 6, 2026
MOOD 🧡💙 @nyknicks
🎥: justnlopez (IG) pic.twitter.com/yaAesuOWIL
— MSG (@TheGarden) June 6, 2026
“[Monday]’s going to be electric,” said Spurs rookie Dylan Harper, who grew up in New Jersey and witnessed plenty of games at MSG growing up. “I think it’s going to be through the roof. I think it’s going to be everything that I’ve seen, or dreamed of, times 10 … Excited just being out there, excited to play, really.”
As an epicenter for culture and entertainment, New York City is known for its hot spots. There is always the hottest ticket in town, whether it’s a sold-out concert, a Broadway smash, an exclusive nightclub, a Fashion Week runway show or a New York Yankees playoff game in the Bronx.
But there is no more must-have ticket in the “City That Never Sleeps” than Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden this week. The Knicks are two wins away from capturing their first NBA title in 53 years and every hoops-crazed New Yorker feels a piece of themselves in this historic run.
“I expect our fans to come out and do what they do every game, which is… support us at the highest level,” said Karl-Anthony Towns. “I’m excited to play. It’s always great when you’re able to play the game of basketball at its highest level. To be able to lace the shoes up, to be able to put the jersey on and to see our fans see Finals basketball after all this time is going to be really special.”
The players are ready to put on a show, to etch their names in the storied history of this building, which has only hosted 14 NBA Finals games before Monday night.
“It’s a blessing to be a part of this — to be in the Finals,” said San Antonio’s Devin Vassell. “As a young kid, it’s something that you dream of, especially playing here in Madison Square Garden.”
“This arena is like no other, and the added circumstances [of the Finals] will be on top of that … It’ll be a fun environment,” added Spurs coach Mitch Johnson.
While everyone expects a raucous and frenzied atmosphere inside The Garden, Knicks captain Jalen Brunson is focused on delivering under those bright lights.
“I think it’s really cool. Twenty-seven [years] since the last Finals game in this building — I know our fanbase is really excited, as they should be,” Brunson said. “But as a team, inside that locker room, we have more work to do.”
