NEW YORK — They stayed for Billy Joel. For Sinatra. For Jay-Z. Ten minutes after the final buzzer sounded in an improbable, impossible 107–106 Knicks win over the Spurs, after the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, Madison Square Garden was full and no one was leaving. Not now. Not after this. Throughout the upper bowl, laughter mixed with tears. There have been some memorable sports moments in this city. For many, nothing will top this one.
What? How? At halftime, the story of this game was written. San Antonio was sharp. The Spurs were confident. They built a 19-point lead in the first quarter. It was 27 at the half. The Knicks were complaining to the officials. They were hunting Victor Wembanyama. It was 2–0 when New York left San Antonio. It was about to be 2–2 when they got back.
