Get Ready for the Knicks' Historic Game 5: What You Need to Know

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

It's hard to believe that the New York Knicks are on the brink of history. After a thrilling Game 4 comeback, the team is now just one win away from their first championship since 1973. And you don't have to be a lifelong fan to join in on the excitement.

Even if you haven't watched a single game of the Knicks' historic NBA Finals run, Saturday's Game 5 against the Spurs in San Antonio is appointment television. The moment is unique in New York City history as the Knicks are possibly the one New York team that unites the whole town, usually in misery.

So, if you're just joining the orange and blue bandwagon (no shade), here's what to know:

On Wednesday night, the Knicks recovered from a 29-point deficit at halftime in the biggest NBA Finals comeback since the league began tracking these stats (which, for reasons passing understanding, it only started doing in 1997). OG Anunoby tipped in the ball just as the final buzzer was going off in what Knicks coach Mike Brown said was the most iconic shot in basketball history.

But before Wednesday, the Knicks had already made history just by getting to the finals at all. The Knickerbockers haven't been to the finals since 1999 and they haven't won since 1973.

Now, odds that the drought may be over are increasing: Only once in NBA Finals history has a team led 3-1 and lost the series.

Basically, if you love New York City at all, you kind of have a duty to watch Saturday night. But that's okay, because it will be virtually impossible to walk through the five boroughs without seeing a screen.

The game will start at 8:30 p.m. at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio and will be broadcast on ABC.

You're likely to stumble across the game even if you're not looking for it. The city will be airing Game 5 at 130 LinkNYC kiosks along city streets, after first airing Game 4 on a few dozen kiosks Wednesday evening.

But here are a few of the more popular (or quirky) destinations for planned gatherings:

Frankly, walk into virtually any bar and there's a good chance you'll see the game on. Neighborhood Reddit and Facebook groups have been assembling ad-hoc lists. There are also hundreds of local watch parties happening around the five boroughs. People have been putting up screens outside their houses and apartment buildings.

Vanessa Whalen, who owns the pub The Black Bull in Brooklyn Heights, said she's been in the unfortunate position of having to turn people away.

'I don't want to overcrowd. You have to remember things like you have two toilets in a place. You don't want a huge line for that,' Whalen said.

At least one bar will not be playing the Knicks. Wilka's, one of at least three lesbian sports bars in the city, has proudly declared a no-male sports policy and they're sticking to their guns.

If you're hoping to watch outside Madison Square Garden, which would be a perfectly normal expectation in other cities, you may be out of luck.

But the weather is expected to improve somewhat over Thursday and Friday's heat and humidity. Temps at night will get down to the low 70s and the daytime peak is forecast at 86 degrees.

If the Knicks win Saturday, you'll probably hear it. Knicks fans will flood the streets in celebration of their first championship in more than half a century.

If they lose, it's back to New York City for Game 6 Tuesday night.

Apolline Lamy is a reporting intern on the Day-of Desk. She is studying for her master's degree from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.

Made by Gothamist in association with WNYC.