What happened: The New York Knicks have clinched a spot in the NBA Finals, sending fans pouring into the streets of New York City in celebration. SportsCenter shared @ESPNNewYork footage of the citywide eruption as the Knicks punched their ticket to the championship round.
Why it matters: A Finals berth ends a long championship drought for one of the league's marquee franchises and instantly turns New York into the center of the basketball world. The Knicks enter on an 11-game winning streak, the second-longest run heading into the Finals since the playoff field expanded in 1984.
By the numbers: Longest win streaks entering the Finals since the 1984 playoff expansion: 12 — Warriors (2017); 11 — Knicks (2026).
What to watch: Watch for the Knicks' Finals opponent to be set and for opening-game odds and series price to be released once the matchup is locked.