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NBA·May 26, 2026 08:44 AM ET

Knicks reach NBA Finals as Danhausen 'curse' meme takes off

New York is Finals-bound, and the internet credits a wrestler.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated May 261 min read
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.@DanhausenAD lifted the curse and now the Knicks are on to the NBA Finals 👀🏀 https://t.co/oeDMNZ53yz

What happened: SportsCenter posted that wrestler Danhausen "lifted the curse," tying his viral good-luck gimmick to the New York Knicks clinching their first NBA Finals berth in 27 years. The post is a lighthearted reaction to New York's run rather than a hard news update. It leans into the meme that Danhausen's involvement broke a long-running championship drought.

Why it matters: The Knicks' Finals appearance is the franchise's biggest moment in nearly three decades, and fan-culture moments like this amplify national attention around the team. Viral crossovers between sports and pro wrestling drive engagement and broaden the audience for the series. The meme reflects just how much hype is surrounding New York's deep playoff push.

What to watch: Watch for the Knicks' NBA Finals opponent and schedule to be set, along with continued social-media momentum around the team's run.

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